The Israeli Cabinet approved today, Sunday, a proposal by Foreign Minister Gideon Saar to recognize the Armenian Genocide, which was committed in the final years of the Ottoman Empire by the Committee of Union and Progress government—that is, the dominant wing of the Young Turks in the Empire.

The decision, which comes at a time when relations between Israel–Turkey are already strained, is being described in Israel as historic, as for decades the issue remained outside the official state line, mainly due to relations with Ankara and broader regional considerations.

The government decision states that, based on moral and historical obligation, Israel recognizes the genocide committed against the Armenian people. At the same time, it emphasizes that the denial, downplaying, or distortion of the historical truth surrounding these events must be condemned.

Gideon Saar stated during the Cabinet meeting that “it is never too late to do the right thing,” presenting the recognition as a moral obligation of the Jewish state.

Ankara rejects the term “genocide” in reference to the events of 1915 and reacts strongly to any international recognition.

The issue has been raised repeatedly in Israel in the past, but it had not become an official government position, beyond Benjamin Netanyahu’s statement that he personally recognizes it and a Knesset committee resolution in favor of recognition.

Israel thus becomes the 35th country to recognize the genocide. A few other countries have recognized it at the parliamentary level, but not at the state level.