Israel is set to formally recognize the Armenian genocide, a move expected to further strain relations with Turkey. The Armenian genocide refers to the mass killing of more than one million Armenians by the Ottoman Empire during World War I. Despite widespread recognition by the United States, many European nations, and several Arab countries, Turkey has consistently opposed such designation, rejecting the characterization of the events as genocide.

Turkey has actively lobbied against international acknowledgment of these killings as genocide, emphasizing its position that the deaths were the result of civil conflict and not a systematic extermination. The issue remains highly sensitive for Turkey, where government officials argue that recognition would dishonor their national history. The historical event is also notable for being cited by Adolf Hitler as an example during the planning of the Holocaust.

Israel’s decision marks a significant shift, potentially complicating ties with Ankara. The two countries once maintained a close strategic partnership, but their relationship has cooled in recent years due to divergent interests in regional conflicts. In Syria, Turkey supports the Islamist government led by Ahmed al-Sharaa, while Israel has backed Kurdish and Druze militias opposing Turkish influence.

The rhetoric between the two nations has also intensified, with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan describing Israel’s military operations in Gaza as a genocide, further highlighting the animosity. Israel’s recognition of the Armenian genocide is likely to exacerbate these tensions, adding a diplomatic layer to an already complex and fraught bilateral relationship.