Nationalism and Memory: Israel’s Parliamentary Policy on the Armenian Genocide (1989-2024)

“Parliaments have no authority to interpret or pass judgment on history.” This statement was made by the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) on 25 April 2024 in response to the resolution adopted by the Chamber of Deputies of Chile recognizing the events of 1915 as “genocide”. While the Turkish MFA asserts that parliaments lack the authority to judge history, it is evident that these institutions have played a significant role in formally recognizing the Armenian genocide since 2015. Recognizing the Armenian genocide has become an international norm since 2015, placing pressure on European Union (EU) member states and other Western nations to refrain from opposing recognition efforts. Notably, the parliaments of North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) members like Germany, the Netherlands, and the U.S. Congress, as well as President Joe Biden, along with countries such as Lithuania, Bulgaria, and the Czech Republic, and prominent international bodies like the European Parliament and Pope Francis, have officially recognized the Armenian genocide. However, Israel’s parliament, the Knesset, has failed to do so since October 1989, when a motion to recognize the Armenian genocide was first issued by Knesset member Yair Zaban. While much of the public and academic focus on Israel’s policy on the Armenian genocide rightly acknowledges the geo-strategic importance of Turkey and Azerbaijan, this paper traces the historical role of the Knesset in Israel’s firm position not to recognize the Armenian genocide. At its core, I argue that this resistance reflects a nationalistic memory landscape that prioritizes local narratives and narrow histories, directly conflicting with the international norms of acknowledgment of the Armenian genocide. I assess why specific characteristics of Israel’s checks and balances and constitutional structure do not provide solid foundations for Israeli recognition. Additionally, I explain how nationalist memory priorities underpin this policy from 1989 to 2024.