The Israeli Cabinet has approved a proposal to designate violence against
Armenians by the Ottoman Empire during World War I as genocide.

The step still needs Parliament's approval, but it reflects worsening ties
between Israel and Turkey.

Turkey has long lobbied to prevent countries from officially recognizing the
mass deaths of Armenians around 1915 as a genocide, even as Armenians have
pushed for it.

Historians estimate that up to 1.5 million Armenians were killed by Ottoman
Turks around the time of World War I, an event widely viewed by scholars as
the first genocide of the 20th century.

Turkey denies that the deaths constituted genocide, saying the toll has been
inflated and that those killed were victims of civil war and unrest.

Israel's decision marks a shift in its stance, influenced by deteriorating
relations with Turkey over the past two decades.

Turkey criticized the move as politically motivated.

Israel and Turkey were once allies, but tensions have risen, especially
regarding Israel's war on the Gaza Strip.