The International Conference on the Holocaust and Genocide served as a vital forum for discussing the broader implications of genocide throughout history, with specific emphasis on the Holocaust and the Armenian genocide. Organized in Tel Aviv, the conference drew participants from various countries, bringing together historians, scholars, and activists dedicated to raising awareness about these critical issues. This event was particularly notable because it faced external pressure from the Turkish government, which attempted to thwart the proceedings due to its contentious relationship with the historical recognition of the Armenian genocide.

Participants presented an array of research and perspectives on genocide, fostering a dialogue about the moral and ethical responsibilities that arise when confronting such atrocities. The conference allowed for discourse that transcended national narratives, encouraging a global perspective on human rights and the need to remember and learn from past atrocities. Such engagement was critical in the context of the 1980s, a period marked by increasing global awareness of historical injustices.

The backdrop of hostility from the Turkish government underscored the political sensitivities surrounding discussions of genocide. The desire to suppress dialogue about the Armenian genocide illustrated the ongoing struggle for recognition and the impact of national narratives on historical discourse. Nonetheless, the conference proceeded, affirming the resolve of the participants to address uncomfortable truths and advocate for the recognition of various genocides, thereby furthering the cause of collective memory and historical justice.