Tag: Armenian Genocide

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AFRIN UPDATE: Turkish Planes Bomb City Center, TAF Continues to Shell Civilians

As Turkey shuts down Afrin’s water and begins the seige of the predominately Kurdish city, civilian wounded and dead have been piling up. With Afrin’s Kurdish resistance now decimated one must ask, what the reason is for Turkey to continue to essentially wipe out Kurdish civilians.  Of course a deeper question arises and that is where is the rest of the world and why is it not doing anything about this?

Take a look at the following tweets and videos as Turkey continues to commit ethnic cleansing with a near intent on genocide. Of course Turkey is no stranger to genocide, they wiped out their Armenian minority population of 1.5 million Armenians between 1915 and 1917.

The TAF under Erdogan continues to pound innocent civilians.  The question is: Does anyone care?

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President of Turkey: “Israel is a state of occupation”

In an unhinged reaction to President Trump’s recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Saturday described Israel as a “state of occupation” which used “terror” against the Palestinians.

“Israel is a state of occupation,” Erdogan said in a speech in Istanbul. “And now they are making use of terror and are bombing young people and children,” he continued. 

Erdogan was referring to Israel’s response to the firing of rockets into civilian areas from the Gaza strip.  He conveniently left out the fact that one of the rockets destroyed a kindegarden in the Israeli city of Sderot.

Interestingly enough, while Erdogan labels Israel an “occupier” it is Turkey that far outweighs most countries in the world in that category.

Turkey currently occupies half of Cyprus, Northern Kurdistan with its 20 million Kurds, and West Armenia. Turkey was also responsible for the Armenian Genocide that saw more than 1.5 million Armenians killed at the hands of the Turks from 1915 to 1917.

Under Erdogan’s watch, Turkey has grown into an Islamic centric country that eschews minority rights and champions Jihadism.  It was afterall Erdogan’s Turkey that was a key backer of ISIS in its early days by allowing thousands of foreign fighter to traverse the border between Turkey and Syria.  Erdogan’s children were behind medical supplies specifically destined for ISIS. It was Turkey’s backing that lent a hand to Obama’s decision to help prop up ISIS in its early days.




By allowing Turkey to take the mantle of leadership of the Muslim world and thus the “Palestinian Cause” proves the very point that Israel supporters have been careful to make over the past decades and that is the existance of a “Palestinian Nation” is nothing but a hypocritical trojan horse designed to destroy the Jewish State from the inside.

It would be best for the Arab and Islamic world to clean up their act before chastising the only country that may be able to save them from their moral and ethical morass and yes the coming crisis with Iran.

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ARMENIAN GENOCIDE RECOGNITION FAIT ACCOMPLI ACCORDING TO THE KNESSET

IT’S APRIL – YEAR 102 – NO OFFICIAL RECOGNITION

It’s that time again.  April 24th 2017 marks the 102nd commemoration of the Armenian Genocide where Armenians all over the world, including in Israel, will never let you forget what we went through and demand worldwide recognition.  

As An Armenian dedicated to Israel and Armenia, on occasion I write you about pertinent issues.  I have a platform where I am known, Israeli Armenian Solidarity and Israel Rising has welcomed me as a guest contributor from time to time.  Since before the inception of Israeli Armenian Solidarity I have strived to be an instrument of knowledge, information and encouragement.  For the last 2 years I’ve been bringing Israeli affairs and Armenian affairs to the members of the group to speak out for and teach about issues these 2 great peoples, I particularly relished the similarities and our horrific tragedies.  

WHAT IS THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE?  A basic question but believe it or not a lot people still don’t know about the Armenian Genocide.  It was the Armenian Holocaust.  It was perpetrated by the Ottoman Empire 102 years ago.  Initiated on April 24th of 1915 through May of 1923.  Yes, systematically, methodically the government saw WWI as an opportunity to finish the ‘Armenian problem’ ultimately the Christian problem.  Along with slaughtering 1.5 Million of my people, they slaughtered hundreds of thousands Greeks and Assyrians.  Whereas some might say “Aha, it was not targeted” indeed it was.  All three groups are Christian.  Therefore a major underlying factor was our faith.  Every Turkish government has subsequently denied what was perpetrated hence the biggest difference between the Holocaust and the Genocide.  Mind you, the Germans were close allies and onlookers of what ‘their predecessors’ were committing.  And yet, Germany caught red handed could not deny the innocent blood spilt, the Turks did boldly deny and have continued for 102 years.  

So every year, we remember and demand.

ISRAEL’S STANCE:  WE SAY IT’S A FAIT ACCOMPLI

Here’s the definition: An accomplished fact, something that has already occurred; a (colloquial American) “done deal“

Last year in July 2016, Zehava Gal-On of Meretz initiated discussions about how imperative it is for Israel the Jewish nation, to recognize the Armenian Genocide in the Knesset quoting Eli Weisel, BD, who had recently passed on.  After some discussion the brilliant decision was made to defer the topic to The Knesset Education Committee.  The next day, the Education Minister came out with a statement:

“It is our moral obligation to recognize the Armenian genocide,” said committee chair Yakov Margi (Shas) at a committee meeting.

We, at Israeli Armenian Solidarity believe the Knesset has recognized the Armenian Genocide as a Fait Accompli.  It is a done deal.  

In fact, I made a video: https://www.facebook.com/keren.m123/videos/1478394385519832/

OK then, great what’s the problem?  There was no official declaration.  Without the official statement we are in a constant arm twisting mode….

WHAT CAN YOU DO?

Every year, around April 24th, there are different events/marches being held in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv.  Armenians all over Israel gather and call out for admittance from the Turks and recognition from the Knesset.  I ask that you all share this article and demand the Knesset to take that final step.  

This year, my brilliant Hebrew teacher, Zev Garber informed me that Yom haShoah Nairim is also on April 24th. This is no coincidence.  Now is the time.  Stand with us in Solidarity! Thank you.
https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/fait_accompli

http://asbarez.com/152504/knesset-discusses-but-does-not-recognize-armenian-genocide/

http://www.timesofisrael.com/knesset-education-committee-recognizes-armenian-genocide/

https://www.facebook.com/keren.m123/videos/1478394385519832/

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Knesset Committee Votes to Recognize the Armenian Genocide

Although the general Knesset never passed a law recognizing the Armenian genocide that didn’t stop the Education, Culture, and Sports committee from recognizing the Armenian genocide of 1915.

“It is our moral obligation to recognize the holocaust of the Armenian nation,” said the committee Chairman MK Zehava Galon of Meretz in a joint statement formulated with MK Yaakov Margi (Shas). The Ottoman Turks massacred 1.5 million Armenians in World War 1. With a relatively large amount of Armenians in Jerusalem, pressure has been put on Israel over the years to recognize the genocide.

“Each year we instill false hope in the people sitting here,” said Galon. “It is a disservice to the Knesset to continue going on and on about this issue, year after year, without reaching a decision that the State of Israel and the Knesset recognize the genocide of the Armenian people.”

With Turkey agreeing to the rapproachment deal with Israel, it would be surprising if Israel would officially agree to recognize Turkey’s responsibility in the genocide.

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OPEN THE DOOR AND LET JUSTICE IN

Knock, knock! Who’s there? Erdogan is knocking on Israel’s door. Shock! Surprise!! NOT! Turkey, with debacle after debacle now wants to restore relations with Israel. Oh really? After Erdogan’s military shot down a Russian jet, within hours Putin announced his first move, economic sanctions on Turkey, saying ‘We will not buy from you, rather we will buy from Israel.’

Stab and twist.

With Putin’s strong arm in Syria, the Russian military is coming out successful in efforts to obliterate ISIS/Daesh and frankly, Turkey is in the roost. Not only has Turkey been accused of aiding and financing ISIS/Daesh, who is one of the most evil & vile force in the world today, but Turkey is widely known to be connected to our enemy, Hamas. This factor must, absolutely be dealt with. Putin in a smart political move met with Netanyahu to show Erdogan and whoever else, this alliance is fortified. Now Erdogan wants to restore relations with Israel.

By the year’s end, the Israeli government will decide how to proceed with Turkey. What will the strategy be? Flotilla payoff? Unilateral or bilateral demands? Anything? BUT WAIT! Another door has been knocking in Israel for years!! Behind it the blood of over a millions Armenians is crying out to NOT BE forgotten. Israel needs jump on this opportune time and recognize the Armenian Genocide with no delay.

Why now? Clearly, Israel has the upper hand. What do we have to lose? Erdogan needs Israel…. Our way or the highway. And I boldly suggest they stipulate Turkey to finally come out and confess their dirty deed. Israel, in particular, the Holocaust people needed to make this announcement many years ago, but to our shame because of politics, i.e. Turkish & Azerbaijani relations we have NOT. Try to put yourself in their shoes. Grounds of politics LOCKED, on grounds of compassion UNLOCKED with a welcome mat. In recent months, the news over and over again exposed how the Grand Mufti who spurred on the king of the Nazis to burn the Jews was also a part of the Armenian Genocide, and when he became the Grand Mufti, it was he who went to Hitler and helped plot against the Jewish people. Do you see the connection? Of course then there’s the famous quote when Hitler said, ‘Who remembers what happen to the Armenians.’

It is clear that we are connected in more ways than one, with Azerbajian/Nagorno-Karabagh conflict (an Armenian populated region given by the soviets to the modern day Azeris) and the Israeli/’Palestinian’ conflict. Both a diaspora people who recently obtained a country again, respectively. And here we are again, shall we stand idly by?? With the outreach of Armenians visiting and building relations with Israel, Armenia has proven to be a good ally even though, through ignorance, we are on Azerbaijan’s arms vendor list.

Armenia is a thriving, ambitious young country whose numbers would have been exponentially greater had not their Genocide like for us, had our Holocaust not happened. Our histories’ similar, our plights’ alike and our conflicts unresolved… There have been many advocates: Rivlin, pre-presidential days was a strong proponent for the recognition of the Armenian Genocide, Edelstein has gone before the Knesset earlier this year, Israeli Greek Orthodox priest Naddaf is outspoken for this cause, in Nov Sassounian, an American Armenian editor brought forth a compassionate, logical plea, of course for years the Israeli Armenian Community has attempted to reach ear that will not hear, last week a delegation from Armenian visited Israel and finally we the people of Israel, stand up and ask for justice. Israel must put politics aside once and for all. Let us stand with the Armenian people whose motto is Never Forget and say Never Again our motto. The time is now to open the door and recognize the Armenian Genocide.

I implore the Israel government to take this opportunity and make history. Stop being embarrassed of what we haven’t done and make a wrong right and also to stipulate to Turkey in their time of desperation, that Turkey needs to confess what the Ottoman Empire committed against the Armenians. Let’s take it all the way…. Answer the door let the screaming blood of the dead be put to rest. The doors are knocking…. open them both and restore the dignity of the dead and demand from Turkey justice as we are a light to the nations. Why? Because righteousness and wisdom is our path…

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I See No Big Difference, Do You?

As an Armenian, whose ancestors were victims of the Armenian genocide, as a daughter of a DP (displaced person) whose father’s whole family were in forced labor camps in Stuttgart, Germany during World War II  – the topic of the behavior of the Ottoman Empire vs the modern-day Turkish regime actions are always in the back my mind and any Armenian’s mind.  

In Jan 2007, when Turkish born Armenian journalist Hrant Dink (January 2007) gets assassinated for speaking out and telling the truth…I see no big difference, do you?

More recently in October 2015, Turkish Mayor Abdullah Demirbas of the municipality of Sur in Diyarbakir, a brave man standing up for the minorities in Turkey including Armenians, has been harassed, threatened, imprisoned and became deathly ill for speaking out against injustices done to minorities (us) in Turkey, I see no big difference, do you? 

When reflecting on the recent bombing in Ankara where Kurds and minorities were rallying for their voices to be heard…. Erdogan alluded to ISIS being involved, when now we know Turkey is a backer of ISIS….I see no big difference, do you? 

Also, reading of the potential idea that Erdogan’s daughter and son being involved with ISIS and of course many other articles connecting Turkey directly to ISIS makes one ask: I see no big difference, do you? 

What is the difference between today’s Turkish regime and the Ottoman Empire?  International oversight? Turkey is a part of international coalition today so they are held accountable for their actions.  Really?  Is there any true scrutiny… except when it comes to Israel and the double standard automatically applied to every action or non-action which of most are clearly accusations & clearly distortions of the ‘campaign of young Arab muslim terror’ happening daily.

Turkey seems to autonomously make moves having the world in an unspoken grip.  Who can do what to them? Erdogan the visionary and his vision seem to be far reaching into the future with maybe a desire to become an empire again?  Can it be?  

Now, with the grave error of striking down Putin’s plane, the world sits back and watches as the first step of an economical withdrawal is made by Russia… adding insult to injury, we won’t buy from you WE WILL BUY FROM ISRAEL!!  Let’s just sit back and see what other front will be doused in Putin’s 2nd plan of retaliation attack on Turkey.  Erdogan, sit down.  Autonomous, are you??  World, I hope to see a difference, don’t you?