Israel should have been the first country to recognize the Armenian Genocide: Yair Auron

YEREVAN, 22 APRIL, ARMENPRESS. The Armenian Genocide is not just an issue concerning the Armenians and Turks, but an issue that concerns all mankind, and by denying the Armenian Genocide, mankind is laying the foundation for the continuation of genocides. This is what Israeli historian and genocide expert Yair Auron said. According to “Armenpress”, before speaking at the forum entitled “Against the Crime of Genocide” in Yerevan, Auron expressed gratitude to Rwandan genocide survivor Esther Mujavayo who didn’t forget about the Armenians while talking about the Rwandan genocide. Auron stressed that Armenian Genocide recognition is also necessary for Turkey because without it, Turkey can’t become a democratic country.

“There has to be a way for unity and recognition, as well as for the unification of Armenia and Karabakh. Your struggle is not over yet. When we look at Armenia and see Karabakh, we understand that your struggle is not over yet,” Auron said.

The genocide expert stressed that there is no third party when it comes to the issue of genocide and that for him the Armenian Genocide is first and foremost a moral issue, not a legal or political issue.

“We have to reflect on the Armenian Genocide because we are human beings. I am a Jew and can’t avoid the fact that Israel isn’t recognizing the Armenian Genocide when it should have been the first to do so. I would like to say something that has taken me years to say. When we deny the Armenian Genocide, we deny the remembrance of our victims. For me the legacy of the genocide is the sanctity of a human being. It is the inviolability of human life.”