A planned Knesset vote to formally recognize the Armenian genocide has been postponed until after Israel’s upcoming elections, despite receiving unanimous government approval last month.

According to an Israeli official, the legislation will not be brought to a final parliamentary vote before the end of the current Knesset session. With the Knesset set to begin its summer recess later this week and legislative elections scheduled for October 27, the measure is now expected to be delayed for several months.

The postponement comes amid heightened regional tensions and continued diplomatic strains between Israel and Turkey. Relations between the two countries have deteriorated significantly since the start of the war in Gaza, with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan repeatedly criticizing Israel.

Tensions have also been fueled by recent regional developments involving Iran and reports that Turkey lobbied President Trump during last week’s NATO summit to approve the sale of F-35 fighter jets.

For decades, successive Israeli governments declined to formally recognize the Armenian genocide, citing concerns over Israel’s diplomatic relationships with Turkey and Azerbaijan.

Although Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu has previously referred to the events as genocide, the Knesset has never officially adopted such recognition.

The government’s unanimous approval of the proposal last month marked a significant shift in Israeli policy. Turkey condemned the move as politically motivated, while Azerbaijan also criticized the decision and called on Israel to reverse it.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)