Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made headlines this week with what many called a historic recognition of the Armenian Genocide. But conservatives should be asking hard questions about this so-called breakthrough. Was this real leadership or just another political stunt from a leader under pressure?
The whole thing started on Patrick Bet-David’s podcast when the host pressed Netanyahu about Israel recognizing the Armenian Genocide. Netanyahu first wrongly claimed the Knesset had already passed a resolution on this issue. When called out on this obvious falsehood, he simply said “I just did” recognize it.
This flippant response shows everything wrong with modern political theater. Real leaders don’t make historic declarations with a casual “I just did” when caught in a mistake. Americans deserve better from our allies, and the Armenian people deserve more than political games.
The truth is Netanyahu has mentioned the Armenian Genocide before, especially when fighting with Turkey’s Erdogan. This isn’t some brave new stance. It’s recycled talking points dressed up as breaking news by a media that loves drama over substance.
What’s really happening here is simple political calculation. Netanyahu is facing pressure at home and abroad over the Gaza conflict. Throwing out a genocide recognition helps him look moral while changing absolutely nothing in practice.
Conservative Americans should support recognizing historical genocides like the Armenian massacre of 1915. But we should also demand our allies show real backbone, not empty gestures. Israel still has no official Knesset resolution recognizing this genocide.
The Armenian people suffered one of history’s worst atrocities at the hands of the Ottoman Empire. They deserve real recognition, not political stunts from leaders trying to score cheap points. Truth matters more than viral clips.
Netanyahu’s casual approach to this serious issue shows why conservatives are right to demand stronger leadership from America’s allies. Real leaders make principled stands through official channels, not throwaway comments on podcasts when they get caught lying.
