Netanyahu Personally Acknowledges Armenian Genocide, A First for an Israeli Prime Minister

Jerusalem – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has personally acknowledged the Armenian genocide during an appearance on Patrick Bet-David's podcast, marking a significant first for a sitting Israeli leader. The acknowledgment, made on August 27, 2025, comes despite Israel's longstanding policy of not officially recognizing the mass killings, and notably, no official Knesset resolution supports this recognition.

During the podcast, Bet-David, who is of Armenian descent, pressed Netanyahu on why Israel had not recognized the genocide. Netanyahu responded by stating, "I just did. Here you go," adding, "I think we have. I think the Knesset passed a resolution to that effect," a claim that is factually inaccurate as no such legislation has been passed into law. This personal declaration contrasts with decades of governmental reluctance.

Israel has historically refrained from officially recognizing the 1915-1917 Ottoman-era atrocities as genocide, primarily due to concerns over its diplomatic and strategic ties with Turkey and Azerbaijan. Critics argue this stance has been a matter of "realpolitik," prioritizing geopolitical alliances over moral recognition. Previous attempts by Israeli lawmakers to pass recognition bills have consistently failed due to a lack of government support.

Turkey, the successor state to the Ottoman Empire, vehemently denies that the events constituted genocide, maintaining that the deaths occurred during wartime and were not systematically orchestrated. Following Netanyahu's remarks, the Turkish Foreign Ministry condemned his statement, accusing him of attempting to "exploit the tragedies in the past for political purposes."

Armenian groups have reacted with caution to Netanyahu's statement. While acknowledging its significance, some express skepticism, viewing it as a politically motivated move amid deteriorating Israeli-Turkish relations rather than a genuine shift in policy. Concerns also persist regarding Israel's continued military cooperation and arms sales to Azerbaijan, a country that has been in conflict with Armenia. Over 30 countries globally have formally recognized the Armenian genocide.