Statement by H.E. Ambassador ISHIKANE Kimihiro, Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations, United Nations Security Council Open VTC on the Middle East
2020/7/21
Mr. President,
COVID-19 continues to pose a serious threat to human security around the world, including in the Middle East. Japan fully supports the ongoing efforts by all parts of the United Nations system to tackle the pandemic. As a co-initiator of the statement signed by over 170 Member States and Observers in support of the Secretary-General`s appeal for a global ceasefire amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Japan strongly hopes that the recently adopted Security Council resolution 2532 will be respected in full by all relevant parties.
Thanks to the efforts of both the Palestinian Authority and the Israeli Government, the number of COVID-19 infections as well as the death toll in Palestine remained relatively low during the initial stage. However, the numbers are growing and we need to do more to contain the virus under the internationally concerted effort. Since the onset of this crisis, Japan has contributed around 10.8 million USD to international organizations including UNICEF and IFRC to support Palestine’s effort to counter the pandemic.
Japan highly values UNRWA’s role in preventing the spread of COVID-19 in densely populated refugee camps. The Agency has again demonstrated its capacity to provide quality services. Japan commends all the frontline workers of UNRWA for their dedication in daily operations under such difficult circumstances. The Agency plays a vital role not only in meeting humanitarian needs but also for regional stability. So far in 2020, Japan has contributed over 25 million USD to UNRWA, including about 1.5 million USD in response to the COVID-19 flash appeal. We expect UNRWA to diversify its donors to realize a more stable financial base. To this end, Japan organized in mid-June a virtual working level meeting of the Conference on Cooperation among East Asian Countries for Palestinian Development (CEAPAD), and encouraged our Asian partners to continue supporting UNRWA.
Mr. President,
Japan remains committed to supporting a two-state solution. The conflict between the Israeli and the Palestinian sides should be resolved only through negotiations, based on the relevant Security Council resolutions and known parameters. We are very concerned about the continued settlement activities by Israel, including the demolition of Palestinian-owned structures, which undermines efforts toward a peaceful resolution.
If the “application of sovereignty” to the West Bank were to be unilaterally put into effect by Israel, irrespective of the territorial scope of such measures, it would severely undermine mutual confidence between the parties toward achieving a two-state solution and might lead to the destabilization of the region. We have conveyed this firm message to the Israeli side, including during the foreign ministers’ telephone conversation on 14 July. We reiterate our strong expectation that Israel will act in a sensible manner.
Resumption of dialogue between the parties must be the priority. Japan is ready to play a positive role through its engagement with relevant international frameworks, including the Quartet. In the face of the unprecedented human security crisis caused by COVID-19, international cooperation that places people at the center must be the way forward for peace in the Middle East.
Thank you.
COVID-19 continues to pose a serious threat to human security around the world, including in the Middle East. Japan fully supports the ongoing efforts by all parts of the United Nations system to tackle the pandemic. As a co-initiator of the statement signed by over 170 Member States and Observers in support of the Secretary-General`s appeal for a global ceasefire amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Japan strongly hopes that the recently adopted Security Council resolution 2532 will be respected in full by all relevant parties.
Thanks to the efforts of both the Palestinian Authority and the Israeli Government, the number of COVID-19 infections as well as the death toll in Palestine remained relatively low during the initial stage. However, the numbers are growing and we need to do more to contain the virus under the internationally concerted effort. Since the onset of this crisis, Japan has contributed around 10.8 million USD to international organizations including UNICEF and IFRC to support Palestine’s effort to counter the pandemic.
Japan highly values UNRWA’s role in preventing the spread of COVID-19 in densely populated refugee camps. The Agency has again demonstrated its capacity to provide quality services. Japan commends all the frontline workers of UNRWA for their dedication in daily operations under such difficult circumstances. The Agency plays a vital role not only in meeting humanitarian needs but also for regional stability. So far in 2020, Japan has contributed over 25 million USD to UNRWA, including about 1.5 million USD in response to the COVID-19 flash appeal. We expect UNRWA to diversify its donors to realize a more stable financial base. To this end, Japan organized in mid-June a virtual working level meeting of the Conference on Cooperation among East Asian Countries for Palestinian Development (CEAPAD), and encouraged our Asian partners to continue supporting UNRWA.
Mr. President,
Japan remains committed to supporting a two-state solution. The conflict between the Israeli and the Palestinian sides should be resolved only through negotiations, based on the relevant Security Council resolutions and known parameters. We are very concerned about the continued settlement activities by Israel, including the demolition of Palestinian-owned structures, which undermines efforts toward a peaceful resolution.
If the “application of sovereignty” to the West Bank were to be unilaterally put into effect by Israel, irrespective of the territorial scope of such measures, it would severely undermine mutual confidence between the parties toward achieving a two-state solution and might lead to the destabilization of the region. We have conveyed this firm message to the Israeli side, including during the foreign ministers’ telephone conversation on 14 July. We reiterate our strong expectation that Israel will act in a sensible manner.
Resumption of dialogue between the parties must be the priority. Japan is ready to play a positive role through its engagement with relevant international frameworks, including the Quartet. In the face of the unprecedented human security crisis caused by COVID-19, international cooperation that places people at the center must be the way forward for peace in the Middle East.
Thank you.