Diplomatic relations between Armenia and Israel were established in 1992 but the process of opening embassies delayed for many years. In September 2019 Armenia announced about its intention to open an embassy in Israel. The President of Armenia Armen Sarkissian signed a decree on appointing Armen Smbatyan Ambassador to Israel on February 25, 2020.
Question – Good day, We are glad to welcome you in our country. We had been waiting for this moment for a long time. There are many similarities between the Armenians and Jews, aren’t there? We can say that the confirmation of the invisible ties between us came into sight on the diplomatic platform.
Armen Smbatyan – Let’s start from the indisputable fact that the interstate relations between Armenia and Israel are at the starting point. But this in no way means that Armenians and Jews have just started to know one another. Armenians worldwide know that it were the representatives of the Jewish people, diplomats, lawyers, writers, who first defined the concept of genocide and led the world to recognize its anti-civilizational and barbaric nature.
I want to particularly mention that prominent humanists and intellectuals, such as Morgenthau, Mandelstam, Lemkin and Werfel implemented their Godly activities for the benefit of the Armenian people with the morality and best ethical traditions of the Jewish religious leaders, who during all the periods of the history aspired to justice and welfare for all the peoples.
It seemed that during those years, when there were new threats and troubles over the future, when the Hewish state did not exist yet, like Israel is today with the mission to ensure the security and prosperity of the Jewish people, such unique people should have been concerned with issues of national importance. But they affirmed their devotion to universal humanitarian ideas, and found the force to be able to do for the Armenian people what I am sure the Armenian people will never forget, will be grateful to them at all times.
Question – It’s a pleasure to hear that given that few of today’s politicians are devoted to humanitarian ideas. So how will this be reflected at the inter-state level.
Armen Smbatyan – The harmonious and successful development of the State of Israel during the 7 decades is undoubtedly and important example for the Republic of Armenia. It goes without saying that inter-state relations will develop in line with the historical and practical atmosphere where the Armenian and Jewish people lived in the last 2 millennia, during which they were able to achieve high level of mutual respect, as well as fully positive interethnic, domestic, and just human relations. Moreover, our people...
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