{{Short description|Ethnic group in Israel and Palestine}} {{pp-extended|small=yes}} {{Expand Armenian|date=February 2024}} {{Infobox ethnic group | group = Armenians in Israel and Palestine | image = Armenian parade in Jerusalem 2018-04-07 (40611059614).jpg | population = 5,000<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.armeniadiaspora.com/population.html |title= Armenian Population in the World |url-status= dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130511084353/http://www.armeniadiaspora.com/population.html |archive-date=2013-05-11 }}</ref>–6,000<ref>[https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2021-01-24/ty-article/.premium/im-in-mourning-for-one-of-my-countries-im-furious-with-the-other/0000017f-e31e-d568-ad7f-f37f7bc90000 haaretz.com] Haaretz</ref> | regions = [[Jerusalem]], [[Haifa]], [[Holon]], [[Nazareth]], [[Bethlehem]] | languages = [[Armenian language|Armenian]]<br/>[[Modern Hebrew]]<br/>[[Levantine Arabic]]<ref>Shafrir, Asher (2011). "Ethnic minority languages in Israel" (PDF). ''Proceedings of the Scientific Conference AFASES''. AFASES. Brasov, Romania. pp. 493–498.</ref> | religions = [[Armenian Apostolic Church]]<br/>[[Armenian Catholic Church]]<br/>[[Armenian Evangelical Church]]<br/>[[Armenian Jews|Judaism]] | related = [[Armenians]] }} [[File:AQ IMG 4962.JPG|thumb|[[Armenian quarter]] in the [[Old City of Jerusalem]]|250px]] [[Image:Vic the Armenian Ceramist by David Shankbone.jpg|thumb|150px|Armenian ceramicist in the Old City of Jerusalem]] [[File:Armenian Ceramics P1130684.JPG|thumb|Armenian ceramics in Jerusalem]]
'''Armenians in Israel and Palestine''' ({{langx|he|ארמנים}}; {{langx|ar|أَرْمَنِيُّون}}) make up a community of approximately 5,000–6,000 [[Armenians]] living in both [[Israel]] and [[Palestine]].
In 1986, it was estimated that 1,500 Armenians lived in the city of Jerusalem.<ref name=hagopian/> According to a 2006 survey, 790 Armenians lived in [[Old City of Jerusalem|Jerusalem's Old City]].<ref name=":1">{{cite book|title=Jerusalem The Old City The Urban Fabric and Geopolitical Implications|url=http://www.ochaopt.org/documents/opt_prot_ipcc_Old_City_urban_fabric_geopo_implications_2009.pdf|publisher=International Peace and Cooperation Center|access-date=30 August 2013|page=43|year=2009|isbn=978-965-7283-16-5|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130928095409/http://www.ochaopt.org/documents/opt_prot_ipcc_Old_City_urban_fabric_geopo_implications_2009.pdf|archive-date=28 September 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> In 2021, an estimate of approximately 5,000–6,000 Armenians lived across Israel and Palestine.<ref>{{Cite news |title=For Armenians in Israel, a Sad Holiday and an Identity Crisis Following Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict |language=en |work=Haaretz |url=https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2021-01-24/ty-article/.premium/im-in-mourning-for-one-of-my-countries-im-furious-with-the-other/0000017f-e31e-d568-ad7f-f37f7bc90000 |access-date=2022-12-11}}</ref><ref name=toi26042015>[http://www.timesofisrael.com/citing-holocaust-israeli-armenians-demand-genocide-recognition/ Citing Holocaust, Israeli Armenians demand genocide recognition]</ref>
==History== A significant minority of the Armenian community has been resident in the [[Levant]] for centuries.
===Classical-era=== Recorded Armenian presence in Israel dates back to the 1st century BCE, when the Armenian king [[Tigranes the Great]] made much of [[Judea]] a vassal of the [[Kingdom of Armenia (antiquity)|Kingdom of Armenia]].{{citation needed|date=November 2021}}
===4th–18th century=== The first recorded Armenian pilgrimage to the Holy Land was an Armenian delegation of priests in the early 4th century AD. The visit is alluded to in an Armenian translation of a Greek letter written by Patriarch [[Macarius of Jerusalem]] to his contemporary, [[St. Vrtanes I|St. Vrtanes]] (ruled 333–341).<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.armenianchurch-ed.net/armenian-heritage/armenians-in-the-holy-land/ |title=A Centuries-Old Presence in the Holy Land |access-date=2014-02-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140224040959/http://www.armenianchurch-ed.net/armenian-heritage/armenians-in-the-holy-land/ |archive-date=2014-02-24 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
The [[Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem]] was founded in 638.<ref name=":1" /> It is located in the [[Armenian Quarter]], the smallest quarter of the [[Old City of Jerusalem]].
===Ottoman and British periods=== ====Photographers==== Starting in the 1850s Armenians became dominant among [[Palestine (region)|Palestine]]'s photographers.<ref name="Ankori">{{Cite book |title=Palestinian Art |author=Gannit Ankori |edition=1st, paperback |publisher=Reaktion Books |year=2006 |isbn= 9781861892591 |page=36 |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=pVvqAQAAQBAJ&q=%22Garabed+Krikorian%22&pg=PA36}}</ref> The central figure in this development was the leading cleric [[Esayee of Talas|Esayee Garabedian]], who were to become [[List of Armenian Patriarchs of Jerusalem|Armenian Patriarch of Jerusalem]] in 1864–65, and who started photographing in 1857<ref name="Lint">[http://www.luminous-lint.com/app/photographer/Issay__Garabedian/A/ Luminous-Lint. Photography: History, Evolution and Analysis]</ref> and established a photography workshop within the [[Cathedral of St. James, Jerusalem|St. James monastic compound]]. There he set up a school for photography, [[Garabed Krikorian]] (1847–1920) and his brother Kevork counting among his students.<ref name="Lint"/><ref name="Ankori"/> Other 19th-century Armenian photographers from Jerusalem are J. H. Halladjian, M. Mardikian and Yusuf Toumaian. After the [[Armenian genocide]] other photographers joined them, including Hrnat Nakashian and [[Elia Kahvedjian]].
Garabed Krikorian opened a photography workshop on Jaffa Road in the 1870s and became himself a teacher, one of his students being [[Khalil Raad]], known as "[[Palestine (region)|Palestine]]'s first [[Arab]] photographer".<ref name=Hajj>{{cite journal |title= Khalil Raad – Jerusalem Photographer |author= Badr al-Hajj |journal= Jerusalem Quarterly |publisher= Institute of Jerusalem Studies |volume=11–12 |date= Winter 2001 |page=34 |doi=10.70190/jq.I12.p34 |doi-access=free}}</ref><ref name=Palmquist>{{Cite book |title= Photographers: A Sourcebook for Historical Research |first1=Peter E. |last1=Palmquist |first2=Richard |last2=Rudisill |first3=David |last3=Haynes |first4=Martha A. |last4=Sandweiss |edition=2nd, revised |publisher=Carl Mautz Publishing |year=2001 |isbn= 9781887694186 |page=107 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xHrcs9HMwmkC&q=khalil+raad&pg=PA107}}</ref> Another one of his students, Abraham Guiragossian, worked for the famous [[Maison Bonfils]] studio of Beirut and eventually bought it up (see there).
Elia Kahvedjian (1910-1999), a refugee of the Armenian genocide, was one of the leading photographers in Jerusalem at the beginning of the 20th century.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20120206030849/http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/features/the-finest-photographs-of-early-20th-century-palestine-shuttered-in-controversy-1.411086 The finest photographs of early 20th century Palestine, shuttered in controversy], [[Haaretz]]</ref> [[Kegham Djeghalian]] (1915–1981), another Armenian genocide refugee survivor, opened [[Gaza City|Gaza]]'s first photography studio in 1944.<ref>{{Cite journal|url=https://www.thenationalnews.com/arts-culture/art/the-armenian-photographer-who-captured-life-in-gaza-on-camera-people-had-a-personal-connection-with-him-1.1245472|title=The Armenian photographer who captured life in Gaza on camera: 'People had a personal connection with him'|journal=The National|first=Razmig|last=Bedirian|date=21 June 2021|accessdate=29 January 2024}}</ref>
====Ceramicists==== {{commons|Armenian tile makers and potters in Palestine}}{{See also|Armenian ceramics in Jerusalem}} Many Armenians from [[Kütahya]], a city in Turkey, were known for their hand-painted ceramic wares and tiles. In 1919, several master craftsmen were brought to Jerusalem to renovate the tiles covering the facade of the Dome of the Rock. They remained in Jerusalem and developed the art of Armenian ceramics.<ref>[http://www.thisweekinpalestine.com/details.php?id=2611&ed=162&edid=162 Armenian Pottery and the Karakashians]</ref>
==== Demographics under British rule ==== The [[1922 census of Palestine]] lists 3,210 Christians as members of Armenian churches, 271 being [[Armenian Catholic]] (176 in Jerusalem-Jaffa, 10 in Samaria, and 85 in Northern) and 2,939 being [[Armenian Apostolic]] (11 in Southern, 2,800 in Jerusalem-Jaffa, eight in Samaria, and 120 in Northern) along with 2,970 Armenian speakers, including 2,906 in municipal areas (2,442 in Jerusalem, 216 in [[Jaffa]], 101 in [[Haifa]], four in [[Gaza City|Gaza]], 13 in [[Nablus]], one in [[Safad]], 20 in Nazareth, 13 in [[Ramleh]], one in [[Tiberias]], 37 in Bethlehem, 25 in [[Akko|Acre]], four in [[Tulkarem]], 21 in [[Ramallah]], six in [[Jenin]], one in [[Beersheba]], and one in [[Beit She'an|Baisan]]).<ref>{{Cite book |url=http://archive.org/details/PalestineCensus1922 |title=Palestine Census ( 1922)}}</ref>
===Israeli–Palestinian conflict=== ====1948–1967==== After the [[1948 Arab–Israeli War]] and the establishment of the State of Israel, a number of Armenians residing in what had been the British Mandate of Palestine took up Israeli citizenship, whereas other Armenian residents of [[Old City (Jerusalem)|Old City of Jerusalem]] and the territory captured by [[Jordan]] received Jordanian nationality.{{Citation needed|date=September 2008}} Two groups of Armenians emerged: Armenians with Israeli citizenship living within the borders of the state and Armenians with Jordanian nationality in Jerusalem's [[Armenian Quarter]] and the rest of [[Jordanian annexation of the West Bank|Jordanian West Bank]].
====After 1967==== After the 1967 [[Six-Day War]], the Armenian population, especially in East Jerusalem and the West Bank, experienced a decrease in its numbers because of emigration.{{citation needed|date=September 2016}} Armenians of Jerusalem were provided with Israeli resident status and some applied for citizenship. {{As of|2023}}, about 2,000 Armenians were residents but not citizens of Israeli-controlled territory and were [[stateless person]]s.<ref name="ap2023" />
In 1983, tensions arose within the Armenian Quarter of Jerusalem, when Patriarch [[Yeshighe Derderian]] replaced Archbishop [[Shahe Ajamian]].<ref name="hagopian">{{Cite web |last=Hagopian |first=Arthur |date=2 July 1986 |title=Jerusalem Letters of Lasting Interest VP: 51 25 Sivan 5746 / 2 July 1986 Armenians in Israel |url=http://www.jcpa.org/jl/hit04.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240302110451/https://jcpa.org/jl/hit04.htm |archive-date=2 March 2024 |publisher=Jerusalem Center for Security and Foreign Affairs (JCFA)}}</ref> Violence erupted in June 1986, when a group of Armenian Patriarch Derderian's supporters attacked another Armenian family, which was well known for its anti-Patriarch views and as a result one man was killed and six others were injured in a street battle that church representatives dubbed "a fight between two families."<ref name=hagopian/>
{{As of|2023}}, the Armenian community around the Old City's Armenian Quarter has been shrinking. Activists claimed that its continued survival was threatened by a controversial land deal that could result in the loss of Armenian control over 25% of the Armenian Quarter.<ref name="ap2023">{{Cite web |url=https://apnews.com/article/jerusalem-armenian-community-land-lease-controversy-c9126c0a159cd9a285f2bcfd31d67a5b |title=In Jerusalem's contested Old City, shrinking Armenian community fears displacement after land deal |date=2023-06-07 |accessdate=2023-06-07 |language=en-US |last=Debre |first=Isabel|website=[[Associated Press News]] }}</ref>
==Demographics== In 1986, it was estimated that 1,500 Armenians lived in the city of Jerusalem.<ref name=hagopian/> According to a 2006 survey, 790 Armenians lived in [[Old City (Jerusalem)|Jerusalem's Old City]].<ref name=":1" /> In 2022, an estimate of approximately 5,000–6,000 Armenians lived across Israel and Palestine.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Shams |first=Alex |title=Armenians in Palestine face uncertain future |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2015/4/25/armenians-in-palestine-face-uncertain-future |access-date=2022-12-11 |website=www.aljazeera.com |language=en}}</ref><ref name="toi26042015" />
There are a few [[Russian language|Russian]]-speaking [[Jews]] from Armenia in Israel, but they are classified within the former [[USSR]] [[Aliyah]], so no precise statistics are available prior to 1991 when [[Armenia]] restored its independence from the USSR.
==Religion== The overwhelming majority of Armenians in Israel are Armenian Orthodox Christians, along with a small number of Catholics and Evangelicals. The Armenian Orthodox remain under the jurisdiction of the [[Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem]] and the residing Patriarch, in spiritual connection with the [[Armenian Apostolic Church]] (See of Holy [[Etchmiadzin]]), whereas the Armenian Catholics are under the jurisdiction of the [[Armenian Catholic Church]] and Patriarchal Vicar (residing at Via Dolorosa 41 – Fourth Station).
The Churches belonging to the Armenian Apostolic Church are among others St. Elias Church in [[Haifa]] and [[Saint Nicholas Church, Jaffa|Saint Nicholas Church and Monastery]] in [[Jaffa]]. Armenian-Israelis also pray in [[Cathedral of St. James, Jerusalem|St. James Cathedral]] (Surpotz Hagopyants) at the Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem, at the [[Church of the Holy Sepulchre]] in Jerusalem (under joint jurisdiction of Armenian Church with other Christian churches), the Tomb of Virgin Mary and Gethsemane, the Chapel of the Ascension on Mount of Olives, the Church of St. Gregory the Enlightener in modern Jerusalem, and the [[Church of the Nativity]] in [[Bethlehem]] (again under joint jurisdiction of the Armenian Church and other Christian churches). The Armenian Church also has the St George Monastery in [[Ramla|Ramle]]. Armenians in Israel and [[Palestine]] celebrate [[Christmas]] and the [[Epiphany (holiday)|Epiphany]] on the same day, which is traditionally on January 19, while Armenian Orthodox communities in Armenia and worldwide celebrate on January 6. This is because the Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem still abides by the ancient [[Julian calendar]], whereas the Armenian Apostolic Church has adopted the [[Gregorian calendar]]. Armenian Catholics, Evangelical and Brethren churches in Israel celebrate Christmas on December 25, in line with other members of the [[Roman Catholic Church|Roman Catholic]] and various [[Protestantism|Protestant]] churches.
==Language and culture== The Institute of African and Asian Studies at the [[Hebrew University of Jerusalem]] established a chair of Armenian Studies program, specialising in study of Armenian language, literature, history and culture as well as the Armenian genocide.
==Armenia–Israel relations== {{update section|date=June 2017}} {{main|Armenia–Israel relations}} [[File:Armenian day of remembrance 2016 c.jpg|thumb|Armenians protesting for [[recognition of the Armenian genocide]] in front of the Turkish consulate in Jerusalem. The protest was held on [[Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day]] of 2016.]] Armenia maintains diplomatic relations with Israel. According to the [[The World Factbook|CIA World Factbook]], Armenia receives 4.8% of its imports from Israel, while Israel receives 7.1% of Armenia's exports.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20260118154249/https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/armenia/ CIA World Factbook: Armenia]</ref> Although both countries have diplomatic relations, neither maintains an embassy in the other country. Instead, Ambassador Ehud Moshe Eytam, the Israeli ambassador to Armenia is based in [[Tbilisi]], [[Georgia (country)|Georgia]], and visits [[Yerevan]] twice a month. In Jerusalem Tsolag Momjian is the honorary consul.
Since Armenia's independence, Israeli politicians, rabbis, and the country's Armenian community have called on the Israeli government to recognize the [[Armenian genocide]]. Turkey has threatened to break off ties with Israel if it or the United States recognized the killings as genocide.<ref>{{cite news |title=Israel expresses concern over Turkish-Armenian massacre dispute |url=http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/10/11/africa/ME-GEN-Israel-Turkey.php |publisher=[[Associated Press|The Associated Press]] |date=2007-10-11 |access-date=2008-02-02}}</ref> As of 2008, there has been an ongoing debate regarding recognition in the [[Knesset]], with Turkey lobbying to prevent it.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/editorials/la-ed-armenia25apr25,0,2800027.story |title=A Turkey-Armenia reconciliation? |work=[[Los Angeles Times]] |date=2008-04-25 |access-date=2008-04-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080430021825/http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/editorials/la-ed-armenia25apr25%2C0%2C2800027.story |archive-date=30 April 2008 |url-status=live }}</ref> A 2007 survey found that more than 70% of Israelis thought that Israel should recognize the genocide, with 44% willing to break off relations with Turkey over the issue.<ref>{{cite news |title=Survey Shows Many Want Israel to Recognize Armenian Genocide |url=https://asbarez.com/55914/survey-shows-many-want-israel-to-recognize-armenian-genocide/ |access-date=15 January 2021 |work=Asbarez.com |date=3 October 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Armenia's "Christian holocaust" |url=http://fr.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1208870483112&pagename=JPost/JPArticle/ShowFull |publisher=[[The Jerusalem Post]] |author=David Smith |date=2008-04-25 |access-date=2008-04-25 }}</ref>
==See also== * [[Armenia–Israel relations]] * [[Armenian Quarter]], Jerusalem * [[History of the Jews in Armenia]] * [[Religion in Israel]] ** [[Christianity in Israel]]
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== *[http://www.armenia.co.il/ Webpage about the Armenian community in Israel] *[http://www.armeniapedia.org/index.php?title=Israel Israel at ArmeniaPedia] *{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20130506211001/http://armenian-patriarchate.com Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem]}} *[https://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/2007675291/ Library of Congress (US) website: Photographs taken by Garabed Krikorian (1847–1920) or his son Johannes Krikorian who joined the studio in 1913.]
{{Armenian diaspora}} {{Demographics of Israel}} {{Portal bar|Israel}}
[[Category:Armenian diaspora in Israel| ]] [[Category:Armenian diaspora in Palestine]]