Statement by H.E. Ambassador ISHIKANE Kimihiro, Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations, at the 10th Emergency Special Session of the United Nations General Assembly
2023/10/31
(As delivered)
Madame President,
Fifty years ago this month, the 1973 Arab-Israeli war began. Thirty years ago, the Oslo Accords were signed. Twenty-six years ago, the first meeting of the 10th Emergency Special Session of this body was held. Who could have imagined we would still be here today?
The horrifying series of events that began on 7 October continues unabated, spiraling ever downwards with far too many losses. Japan extends its sincere condolences to the families of the victims.
Japan once again unequivocally condemns Hamas’s brutal terror attack on Israel, and its taking of hostages. The international community should never tolerate such heinous acts. Every Member State has the right to defend itself and its people and such right must be exercised in accordance with international law.
Just recently, Israel announced an expansion of its ground operations in Gaza. The humanitarian situation in Gaza has never been worse. It is catastrophic, and the Palestinian people are in desperate need of food, water, fuel and medicine. We also extend our sincere condolences to the families of the victims, and for the loss of UN staff and personnel.
This meeting was convened because the Security Council has repeatedly failed to take action. The Security Council, which has the primary responsibility to maintain international peace and security, should urgently and genuinely address the worsening crisis, and prevent this conflict from spreading across the region.
As a current Council member, Japan is working tirelessly with other Council members, in particular with the ten elected members (E10) to craft a resolution acceptable to all. The world cannot wait for the Council to finally fulfill its responsibility and speak in a unified voice.
Several hostages have been released; more must follow immediately as the families of more than 200 abducted victims are waiting in despair for news that their loved ones are safe. We demand the immediate and unconditional release of the remaining hostages.
Japan fully supports the immediate humanitarian pauses and the establishment of humanitarian corridors to ensure that humanitarian assistance can be provided. Full, rapid, safe and unhindered humanitarian access consistent with international humanitarian law must be allowed. While dozens of trucks have passed through the Rafah crossing, hundreds more must follow to meet the dire needs of over 2 million people.
We strongly hope for the early de-escalation of situation which will be an important step for durable peace and stability in the region.
In this vein, Japan has recently approved a $10 million USD aid package as part of its response to the OCHA humanitarian flash appeal. More is needed given the gravity of the situation in Gaza. We call on all Member States and humanitarian partners to scale up their assistance to meet these urgent needs. But for the humanitarian aid to reach people in need, we need humanitarian pauses and humanitarian corridors.
Madame President,
The international community needs to work together to restore hope and pave a path for peace and security in both Palestine and Israel.
Japan supports a two-state solution whereby Israel and a future independent Palestinian state live side by side in peace and security. All parties must make serious efforts to this end. For now, we must all act to de-escalate the situation with a sense of urgency.
I thank you.
Fifty years ago this month, the 1973 Arab-Israeli war began. Thirty years ago, the Oslo Accords were signed. Twenty-six years ago, the first meeting of the 10th Emergency Special Session of this body was held. Who could have imagined we would still be here today?
The horrifying series of events that began on 7 October continues unabated, spiraling ever downwards with far too many losses. Japan extends its sincere condolences to the families of the victims.
Japan once again unequivocally condemns Hamas’s brutal terror attack on Israel, and its taking of hostages. The international community should never tolerate such heinous acts. Every Member State has the right to defend itself and its people and such right must be exercised in accordance with international law.
Just recently, Israel announced an expansion of its ground operations in Gaza. The humanitarian situation in Gaza has never been worse. It is catastrophic, and the Palestinian people are in desperate need of food, water, fuel and medicine. We also extend our sincere condolences to the families of the victims, and for the loss of UN staff and personnel.
This meeting was convened because the Security Council has repeatedly failed to take action. The Security Council, which has the primary responsibility to maintain international peace and security, should urgently and genuinely address the worsening crisis, and prevent this conflict from spreading across the region.
As a current Council member, Japan is working tirelessly with other Council members, in particular with the ten elected members (E10) to craft a resolution acceptable to all. The world cannot wait for the Council to finally fulfill its responsibility and speak in a unified voice.
Several hostages have been released; more must follow immediately as the families of more than 200 abducted victims are waiting in despair for news that their loved ones are safe. We demand the immediate and unconditional release of the remaining hostages.
Japan fully supports the immediate humanitarian pauses and the establishment of humanitarian corridors to ensure that humanitarian assistance can be provided. Full, rapid, safe and unhindered humanitarian access consistent with international humanitarian law must be allowed. While dozens of trucks have passed through the Rafah crossing, hundreds more must follow to meet the dire needs of over 2 million people.
We strongly hope for the early de-escalation of situation which will be an important step for durable peace and stability in the region.
In this vein, Japan has recently approved a $10 million USD aid package as part of its response to the OCHA humanitarian flash appeal. More is needed given the gravity of the situation in Gaza. We call on all Member States and humanitarian partners to scale up their assistance to meet these urgent needs. But for the humanitarian aid to reach people in need, we need humanitarian pauses and humanitarian corridors.
Madame President,
The international community needs to work together to restore hope and pave a path for peace and security in both Palestine and Israel.
Japan supports a two-state solution whereby Israel and a future independent Palestinian state live side by side in peace and security. All parties must make serious efforts to this end. For now, we must all act to de-escalate the situation with a sense of urgency.
I thank you.