Armenia and Armenians have been in contact with Israel since the earliest times, especially during the reign of Tigran the Great, when the country came under the sovereignty of the Armenian king for a short time. A significant flow of Armenians to the area began in the early centuries of Christianity, and by the 4th century, Armenians had established churches and monasteries in Jerusalem. The Armenian secular community was formed later in the 7th century by Armenian merchants and craftsmen. During the reign of the Cilician Armenian kings, the Armenian community became stronger in Jerusalem, with the number of Armenian increasing in 1894-1896 after the Hamidian massacres, and again in 1915 as a result of the Armenian Genocide.

Armenians have sought to preserve their national image and identity, and as a result, have not assimilated into common Christian communities (such as Catholics and Orthodox). There is an  Armenian district of Jerusalem, one of the four quarters of the Old City (Christian, Muslim, Jewish, and Armenian).

One of the hierarchical chairs of the Armenian Apostolic Church is located in the Armenian district of Jerusalem - the Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem. The head of the Saint Hakobyants monastic congregation is the patriarch of the Apostolic See of Holy Etchmiadzin or, as is commonly said, the Armenian Patriarch of Jerusalem. Currently, the Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem is under the jurisdiction of the Armenian Churches in Israel and Jordan.

There are currently 10,000 Armenians living in Israel. Armenians mainly live in Jerusalem, as well as in Tel Aviv, Haifa, Petah Tikva, Ashdod, and elsewhere. There are also Armenians in the West Bank, particularly in Bethlehem.

Armenians living in Israel can be divided into two main groups: an ancient group of Armenians who immigrated to Israel in the 4th century and Armenian Genocide survivors that immigrated in 1915. Most of them live in Jerusalem. 

A significant number of Armenians in Israel are tailors, watchmakers, jewelers, craftsmen, photographers, fashion designers, intellectuals, doctors, lawyers, traders, and entrepreneurs.

There are two local political parties in Israel, the Armenian Revolutionary Federation, and the Armenian Democratic Liberal Party. There are also Armenian schools, Homenetmen, AYU, ARS, and other non-governmental, cultural, and youth organizations.

The oldest of the Armenian organizations officially operating in Jerusalem is the Armenian General Benevolent Union founded before World War I, in Jerusalem.