Armenian historian Ara Sarafian has commented on the mentality guiding Armenian nationalists, noting that radicalism in the Armenian community worked the same way it did in the Turkish community, and that many Armenians had not grasped the significance of the re-opening of the Akdamar Island Armenian Church on March 29.

Sarafian called the church's re-opening, which took place after a long and expensive restoration process carried out by the Turkish government "an important peace offering." According to Sarafian, the restoration of the Akdamar Church represents a clear response to the many accusations of "cultural genocide" lodged by the Armenian community outside of Turkey. He also noted that the step taken in opening up the church had caused surprise in this community.