Yerevan. Mediamax. President of Israel Reuven Rivlin received the Armenian community representatives of Jerusalem in his presidential residence on the occasion of the Armenian Genocide Centennial on April 26.
Coordinator of Jerusalem Hay Dat Office Hakob Sevan has told Mediamax correspondent that it’s the first time that the Jerusalem Armenian community has been invited to the reception on the Armenian Genocide Centennial by the Israeli President.
“The meeting hosted Armenian Patriarch of Jerusalem, Archbishop Nourhan Manougian, head of Jerusalem Hay Dat Office Georgette Avagyan, Armenia’s Honorary Consul to Israel Tsolak Momjian and representatives of the patriarchy. During the meeting which lasted over an hour, President Reuven Rivlin expressed his solidarity and condolence to the Armenian community noting that the 1915 events were the first massacres of the early 20th century. Unfortunately, the President, despite his promise made formerly, didn’t use “genocide” term during the meeting”, said Hakob Sevan.
Before being elected the President, Reuven Rivlin spoke for Israel’s recognition and condemnation of the Armenian Genocide.
He has many times promised to officially recognize the fact of the Genocide in case of being elected the Israeli President.
According to Hakob Sevan, during his meeting at the presidential residence, the representatives of the Armenian community expressed their regret and disappointment to Reuven Rivlin over his not keeping his promise in regard to the recognition of the Armenian Genocide.
Hay Dat representative has noted that Pope’s statement on the Genocide and the recent examples of recognition as well as the latest discussions on the Genocide at the German Bundestag have created an unpleasant situation for the Israeli government.
“The President’s reception was a step to somehow correct this shameful policy and to show that the Israeli leadership do not deny the early 20th century events”, said the Coordinator of the Hay Dat Office.
Hakob Sevan reported that events dedicated to the Armenian Genocide took place in Jerusalem on April 23 and 24 with participation of numerous community representatives as well as those from all the Christian communities.
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