The president of the Jerusalem Institute for Strategy and Security (JISS), expert on Israel-Turkey relations, Professor Efraim Inbar, has evaluated the Israeli government's recognition of the so-called "Armenian genocide" as a childish act, a serious mistake based on a shallow calculation.
According to Medianews.az, Professor Efraim Inbar said in an interview with Israel's "Kol Berama" radio that this decision by the government could also cost Israel dearly in its relations with allies in the international arena.
According to the professor, the decision to recognize the "Armenian genocide" stems from an attempt to respond to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan: "But this decision puts Israel's vital interests at risk. Foreign policy should not be based on past intentions to punish someone but on today's national interests."
Saying that the decision of Netanyahu's government will negatively affect even those circles in Turkey that have a positive attitude towards Israel, Efraim Inbar later emphasized that the biggest blow will not be to Turkey but to relations with Azerbaijan.
Characterizing Azerbaijan as one of Israel's closest strategic partners, the professor said: "What do we need such a headache for? Why should we anger the Azerbaijanis? Azerbaijan is one of Israel's most important strategic allies. Taking such a step just to irritate the Anatolian Turks and thereby harming a strategic partner like Azerbaijan is a very serious mistake."
On June 28, the Israeli government unanimously approved a draft prepared by Foreign Minister Gideon Saar to recognize the so-called "Armenian genocide." If the draft is also ratified in the Israeli parliament—the Knesset—the issue of the "Armenian genocide" could become part of Israel's official state policy.
On June 29, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan stated that it was seriously concerned about the decision of the Israeli government regarding the so-called "Armenian genocide" and called on the government to reconsider the decision.