Recognizing the Armenian Genocide

Been a while since previous blog entry.

Yes, I have been following the events back in the USA, as have almost all of the expats here in my social circle.  Quite frankly, I have had little to add that is new or novel to the comments in the blogosphere or the social media (or, for that matter, out on the street).

I have now encountered a news thread that has not been on the front pages of the MSM, nor, for that matter, has it gotten big time billing in the alternative media.  It is an international political issue, it is an action I personally applaud, and I believe that it needs to get more airing.  Therefore, it is blogworthy by my standards.

Here in Israel, the Education, Culture and Sports Committee of the Knesset has recognized the Genocide committed by the Ottoman Turks against the Armenians in 1915, and has urged the full Knesset to follow suit.

 The sentiment in the street here has long favored such a move on an official level, but political considerations have precluded it.  Since the establishment of Israel in 1948, the situation had been one of enmity with Arab neighbors (i.e., Jordan, Egypt, Syria, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, etc.).  It therefore was essential for Israel to maintain political and commercial ties with Turkey, a nation which, although essential Muslim, was not Arab, and, for its own reasons, wished (and still wishes) to have influence in what had been territory under its governance.

Now that Turkey is no longer the secular Turkey as envisioned by Kemal Atatürk, and Turkey is simultaneously purporting to normalize its relations with Israel following the Mavi Marmara affair, while at the same time giving shelter, aid, and comfort to terrorist organizations, Israel can now also engage in similar inconsistencies.

I, for one, would like to see the full Knesset officially endorse this one.  The world was silent when the Turks committed this atrocity in the fog of World War I, and I believe that their allies, the Germans, got some inspiration and ideas for their own World War II atrocities from the Turks' example.

Monkey See, Monkey Do!