Statement by H.E. Ambassador ISHIKANE Kimihiro, Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations, United Nations Security Council Open Debate on the Middle East
2021/4/22
Mr. President,
First and foremost, I would like to reaffirm Japan’s commitment to supporting a two-state solution based on relevant UN Security Council resolutions and internationally agreed parameters. Although there has been progress on cooperation, including on security, between Israeli and Palestinian authorities, Japan shares international concerns about continued worrisome developments on the ground such as settlement activities in the West Bank and violence by both Israelis and Palestinians. Japan calls upon all parties to halt any activities that would hinder the process towards full realization of peace in the Middle East.
Democratically elected Palestinian leaders and government are also imperative to realizing a two-state solution. As the first of the series of elections in Palestine announced by the Presidential decree dated 15 January 2021, the election of members of Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) will take place on 22 May. Japan believes the holding of this first election will mark an important step towards establishing a future democratic and independent Palestinian state. We urge all parties to ensure a successful holding of the election in a free, fair and inclusive manner which will include voting by Palestinian residents of the Gaza Strip and East Jerusalem. Japan is ready to support this important occasion in various forms including dispatching an election observation team.
Mr. President,
COVID-19 continues to pose serious risks to human security, threatening people’s survival, livelihoods and dignity around the world. Palestine is no exception and the pandemic is adding more difficulties for the Palestinian people on top of existing ones. Japan welcomes the cooperation between Israeli and the Palestinian authorities to overcome the pandemic, such as Israel’s vaccination campaign to over 10,000 Palestinians working in Israel. In addition, Japan highly values the irreplaceable work of UNRWA in support of the Palestinian people and commends its work to mitigate the negative impacts of COVID-19. In this regard, Japan welcomes the announcement by the United States regarding the resumption of its assistance for the Palestinians, which includes 150 million USD in humanitarian assistance for UNRWA. Japan believes that this resumption of assistance will contribute to the betterment of Palestinians’ livelihoods. It will also strengthen the roles and mission of UNRWA, to which Japan has attached importance and offered substantial support. Japan will continue its efforts in cooperation with the international community, including the United States.
Mr. President,
Recognizing the Palestinians’ longstanding aspirations for statehood, Japan will continue to help the parties build confidence and provide assistance for Palestinians’ state-building efforts. We will continue to promote our own initiatives towards this end. The Jericho Agro Industrial Park (JAIP) is the flagship project of Japan’s “Corridor for Peace and Prosperity” initiative, and as of today, 16 local Palestinian enterprises have started businesses there, employing approximately 200 Palestinian workers. Based on trilateral dialogues between Japan, Palestine and Israel, Japan will further facilitate the project to help build confidence among the parties. The “Conference on Cooperation among East Asian countries for Palestinian Development (CEAPAD)” is another key initiative by Japan. Despite difficult times due to the pandemic, Japan has seen tangible progress on future business between Palestine and Indonesian companies that was facilitated in a business-to-business event under a CEAPAD trade development initiative.
Mr. President,
Japan once again reiterates its support for a two-state solution whereby Israel and a future independent Palestinian state live side by side in peace and security. Upon successful elections in Palestine, Japan will be committed to making even greater efforts to build mutual trust between the parties so as to create positive movement towards the realization of peace in the Middle East.
I thank you.
First and foremost, I would like to reaffirm Japan’s commitment to supporting a two-state solution based on relevant UN Security Council resolutions and internationally agreed parameters. Although there has been progress on cooperation, including on security, between Israeli and Palestinian authorities, Japan shares international concerns about continued worrisome developments on the ground such as settlement activities in the West Bank and violence by both Israelis and Palestinians. Japan calls upon all parties to halt any activities that would hinder the process towards full realization of peace in the Middle East.
Democratically elected Palestinian leaders and government are also imperative to realizing a two-state solution. As the first of the series of elections in Palestine announced by the Presidential decree dated 15 January 2021, the election of members of Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) will take place on 22 May. Japan believes the holding of this first election will mark an important step towards establishing a future democratic and independent Palestinian state. We urge all parties to ensure a successful holding of the election in a free, fair and inclusive manner which will include voting by Palestinian residents of the Gaza Strip and East Jerusalem. Japan is ready to support this important occasion in various forms including dispatching an election observation team.
Mr. President,
COVID-19 continues to pose serious risks to human security, threatening people’s survival, livelihoods and dignity around the world. Palestine is no exception and the pandemic is adding more difficulties for the Palestinian people on top of existing ones. Japan welcomes the cooperation between Israeli and the Palestinian authorities to overcome the pandemic, such as Israel’s vaccination campaign to over 10,000 Palestinians working in Israel. In addition, Japan highly values the irreplaceable work of UNRWA in support of the Palestinian people and commends its work to mitigate the negative impacts of COVID-19. In this regard, Japan welcomes the announcement by the United States regarding the resumption of its assistance for the Palestinians, which includes 150 million USD in humanitarian assistance for UNRWA. Japan believes that this resumption of assistance will contribute to the betterment of Palestinians’ livelihoods. It will also strengthen the roles and mission of UNRWA, to which Japan has attached importance and offered substantial support. Japan will continue its efforts in cooperation with the international community, including the United States.
Mr. President,
Recognizing the Palestinians’ longstanding aspirations for statehood, Japan will continue to help the parties build confidence and provide assistance for Palestinians’ state-building efforts. We will continue to promote our own initiatives towards this end. The Jericho Agro Industrial Park (JAIP) is the flagship project of Japan’s “Corridor for Peace and Prosperity” initiative, and as of today, 16 local Palestinian enterprises have started businesses there, employing approximately 200 Palestinian workers. Based on trilateral dialogues between Japan, Palestine and Israel, Japan will further facilitate the project to help build confidence among the parties. The “Conference on Cooperation among East Asian countries for Palestinian Development (CEAPAD)” is another key initiative by Japan. Despite difficult times due to the pandemic, Japan has seen tangible progress on future business between Palestine and Indonesian companies that was facilitated in a business-to-business event under a CEAPAD trade development initiative.
Mr. President,
Japan once again reiterates its support for a two-state solution whereby Israel and a future independent Palestinian state live side by side in peace and security. Upon successful elections in Palestine, Japan will be committed to making even greater efforts to build mutual trust between the parties so as to create positive movement towards the realization of peace in the Middle East.
I thank you.