As far as Turkey is concerned, there was no Armenian Genocide.
If a nation wants to be an ally of Turkey, recognition of this historical truth is forbidden. Even within the Jewish community, there has been a reluctance to recognize the Armenian Genocide for fear of worsening relations between Turkey and Israel.
An unintended consequence of the recent Gaza flotilla crisis might be this — honesty.
La Cañada Flintridge resident Edward D. Vaisbort explains "the U.S. should have led the free world many years ago in recognizing the Armenian Genocide, but failed to do so in order to cultivate Turkey as an ally. In light of the resurgence of anti-Western Islamism in Turkey, it's time for the U.S. to do the right thing and recognize the Armenian Genocide and give voice to its victims."
La Cañadan Mark Bernhard agrees, "The U.S. should recognize the Armenian Genocide, and Israel should as well."
His neighbor, Avi Zirler, has a different view. "For the moment Turkey is a NATO ally of the U.S., and such a recognition should be given only if it is in the best interest of the U.S. I am not sure that it is [in the best interest of the U.S.] at this point in time. The U.S. government should leave the recognition to Human Rights NGOs."
With respect to Israel, Zirler says, "Turkey is one of the few Muslim countries that have strong ties to Israel, despite the rhetoric that is coming from the Turkish government. The current government might be voted out, but the Turkish people will still be around. Meanwhile, the recognition can come from NGOs."
