14 Facts About Israel Ori

Israel Ori was a prominent figure of the Armenian national liberation movement and a diplomat that sought the liberation of Armenia from Persia and the Ottoman Empire.

Israel Ori was the son of Melik Haikazian of Syunik.

Israel Ori joined the French army of Louis XIV, and entered into contact with the high political circles of France, in course of which he constantly raised the question about the liberation of Armenian people from the foreign yoke; however, he was met with cold indifference.

In 1695 Israel Ori settled in Germany, in the city of Dusseldorf, where he established connections with Johann Wilhelm, Elector Palatine.

However, since Israel Ori did not have official authority from the Armenian political mainstream, his statements were disregarded.

Israel Ori departed to Armenia with the purpose to obtain the appropriate written documents from the Armenian nobility on the advice of Johann Wilhelm.

Israel Ori met with Emperor Leopold I in 1700 who advised him that Russian support would be necessary for the success of his plan.

Israel Ori was the first to set the pro-Russian orientation of the Armenian liberation movement for decades to come.

Israel Ori promised to render assistance to the Armenian people after the end of Russo-Swedish War.

Israel Ori proposed to the Russian court a plan, which contained the following points: for liberating the Armenian and Georgian peoples it is necessary to send via the Caucasus a twenty-five thousand strong Russian army, fifteen thousand Cossack riders and ten thousand infantrymen.

When Israel Ori reached Shamakhi, he was forced to wait several days before being granted permission to enter Isfahan.

In 1709 Israel Ori arrived in Isfahan, where he again conducted negotiations with the local political figures.

In 1711 Israel Ori suddenly died in Astrakhan during the return to Russia from Persia.

All of Israel Ori's efforts helped to inspire Joseph Emin, who went on to keep the idea of the liberation of Armenia alive.