Statement by Mr. HANAMI Tomoyuki, First Secretary, Permanent Mission of Japan to the United Nations, on Agenda Item 49: United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), Fourth Committee, Seventy-Ninth Session of the United Nations General Assembly
2024/11/14
(As delivered)
Thank you, Madam Chair,
In the 4th Committee session on this agenda last year, Japan expressed its condolences for the 89 UNRWA staff who had been killed. Today, it is heartbreaking that the number has risen to 243. The fact that this tragedy continues to this day, and that UNRWA and other UN staff are still being victimized, cannot be tolerated.
Since the reprehensible acts of terror on October 7, UNRWA has continued to make every effort to ensure the survival of Palestine refugees in Gaza, the West Bank and surrounding areas. To date, UNRWA has been the backbone of support for Palestinians, and its importance is only increasing.
However, if the two laws legislated by the Knesset the other day are implemented, UNRWA's activities will be severely restricted. This means that the lives of millions of Palestine refugees will be uprooted, and for Palestinians in Gaza, it is a matter of life or death. Japan reiterates its grave concern over the legislation, and urges the Government of Israel to maintain an environment where UNRWA can continue its life-saving humanitarian assistance.
Madam Chair,
More than 43,000 people have been reportedly killed in Gaza so far, and thousands more are under the rubble. Almost all of the Strip’s 2 million residents have been forced to evacuate, and they continue to live in fear of daily bombings and starvation. The situation in northern Gaza is particularly serious, with conditions described as “apocalyptic”, and countless people are teetering on the brink of death.
In these circumstances, UNRWA is not just an international organization, but, as stated by Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini last week, it “has been a lifeline for the people of Gaza” and “the only pillar of their lives left standing.”
It is our firm belief that there remains no replacement for UNRWA. We also recognize that the Agency is fully committed to take further steps to ensure its neutrality including through the full implementation of the Colonna report.
In this moment of crisis for UNRWA, the international community must be united to support the Palestinians who are facing hardship. Japan has been at the forefront of providing humanitarian assistance to the Palestinian people, with a total of approximately 130 million US dollars since October 7 last year, including 35 million to UNRWA.
We will continue to make all diplomatic efforts to protect the Agency, and remain steadfast in our commitments to save the most vulnerable.
Thank you, Madam Chair.
In the 4th Committee session on this agenda last year, Japan expressed its condolences for the 89 UNRWA staff who had been killed. Today, it is heartbreaking that the number has risen to 243. The fact that this tragedy continues to this day, and that UNRWA and other UN staff are still being victimized, cannot be tolerated.
Since the reprehensible acts of terror on October 7, UNRWA has continued to make every effort to ensure the survival of Palestine refugees in Gaza, the West Bank and surrounding areas. To date, UNRWA has been the backbone of support for Palestinians, and its importance is only increasing.
However, if the two laws legislated by the Knesset the other day are implemented, UNRWA's activities will be severely restricted. This means that the lives of millions of Palestine refugees will be uprooted, and for Palestinians in Gaza, it is a matter of life or death. Japan reiterates its grave concern over the legislation, and urges the Government of Israel to maintain an environment where UNRWA can continue its life-saving humanitarian assistance.
Madam Chair,
More than 43,000 people have been reportedly killed in Gaza so far, and thousands more are under the rubble. Almost all of the Strip’s 2 million residents have been forced to evacuate, and they continue to live in fear of daily bombings and starvation. The situation in northern Gaza is particularly serious, with conditions described as “apocalyptic”, and countless people are teetering on the brink of death.
In these circumstances, UNRWA is not just an international organization, but, as stated by Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini last week, it “has been a lifeline for the people of Gaza” and “the only pillar of their lives left standing.”
It is our firm belief that there remains no replacement for UNRWA. We also recognize that the Agency is fully committed to take further steps to ensure its neutrality including through the full implementation of the Colonna report.
In this moment of crisis for UNRWA, the international community must be united to support the Palestinians who are facing hardship. Japan has been at the forefront of providing humanitarian assistance to the Palestinian people, with a total of approximately 130 million US dollars since October 7 last year, including 35 million to UNRWA.
We will continue to make all diplomatic efforts to protect the Agency, and remain steadfast in our commitments to save the most vulnerable.
Thank you, Madam Chair.