On November 2, the first international conference on the subject of the Armenian Genocide opened in Israel, in Tel Aviv. The conference titled hundred years the Armenian Genocide, was organized for the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide was organized and hosted by the Department of Sociology, Political Science and Communication from the Open University of Israel.

The organizers of the conference are Yair Auron Dr. (Chairman), Dr. Isaac Lubelsky and Dr. Charbit – teachers who teach the Study of Genocide at the Free University of Israel (the only course on genocide in Israel).

During the conference’s opening ceremony, President of the Open University, Professor Jacob (Kobi) Metzer, Dr. Yair Auron and Dr. Isaac Lubelsky made the introductory speech.

They said the hundredth anniversary of the Armenian Genocide was an important date for them, they talked about the fact that Israel does not recognize the Armenian Genocide, and stressed the fact that this recognition is imperative for Israel.

“The Israeli recognition of the Armenian Genocide is my dream. She is not coming soon but … I will fight for almost 30 years for this event to take place, and because it takes place today, part of my dream come true. We expect that such a conference be held annually from now on, “said Yair Auron to Panorama.am.

“The aim of the conference was to discuss the Armenian Genocide among academics in an open … Above all, the Open University deals with the subject of the genocide seriously, and that is why this conference is important for us, “said Dr. Lubelsky to Panorama.am.

The conference also includes an exhibition Jewish Voice over the Armenian Genocide, which has loaned by the Institute-Museum of Armenian Genocide.

The opening ceremony was also notable because a choir led by Israeli Tomer Heiseg (piano Noam Ziggon) performed three songs for the audience with the famous song Erebuni Yerevan interpreted in Armenian.

At the end of the first day, the famous film Ararat about the Armenian Genocide by Atom Egoyan (with Charles Aznavour) was screened.

The conference will continue for two more days. Jewish participants from abroad are invited (including Turkish academics too).

On Wednesday, a meeting of participants in the conference with the President of Israel Reuben Rivlin is expected.

Nvard Chalikyan