Statement by H.E. Ambassador ISHIKANE Kimihiro, Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations, at the General Assembly 40th Plenary Meeting on Question of Palestine and the situation in the Middle East (item 39 and 38)
2021/12/1
(As delivered)
Mr. President,
On 29 November, the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, Japan renewed its support for the Palestinians’ longstanding aspirations for statehood. We also renewed our commitment to building confidence among the parties and assisting Palestinians' state-building efforts. Japan supports a two-state solution whereby Israel and a future independent Palestinian state live side by side in peace and security. The Israeli-Palestinian conflict should be resolved only through negotiations, in accordance with relevant UN Security Council resolutions and internationally agreed parameters. Japan urges the parties to strive to build trust, to refrain from unilateral acts that hinder the resumption of direct negotiations.
Tensions in Gaza have decreased since the ceasefire was announced. Humanitarian and reconstruction efforts are ongoing with logistical and financial support from neighboring countries and donors. While more remains to be done to meet the humanitarian needs in Gaza, the ceasefire has brought about some positive developments, such as the smoother delivery of humanitarian goods, movement of people and issuance of Israeli work permits for Palestinians.
However, the situation on the ground remains worrisome. The settlement activities are in violation of international law. Japan is deeply concerned that in October, the Government of Israel announced the publication of tenders for housing units in the West Bank and East Jerusalem and approved plans for the construction of new housing units in settlements. At the same time, continued acts of violence in the West Bank must also cease. These acts jeopardize the efforts to build trust among the parties and could lead to a re-escalation. Japan calls upon all parties to halt any activities that would hinder progress towards the realization of a two-state solution and to seriously make efforts for the dialogues between the two parties, and reiterates that the solution cannot be achieved through violence but only through negotiations and mutual trust.
Mr. President,
Japan is committed to continuing its support to the people of Palestine so long as humanitarian and socio-economic challenges remain in Palestine, particularly in Gaza. Japan has extended grant aid of 23 million US dollars to Palestine since June and contributed 40.8 million US dollars to UNRWA this year. We appreciate new pledges of financial contribution made by other donors at the international conference on UNRWA in November, and call for further efforts, particularly by the countries in the region, to support the Agency which continues to face financial difficulties.
Furthermore, Japan has taken the lead in two important initiatives. First, the "Corridor for Peace and Prosperity." This programme aims at establishing a business model for regional cooperation through attracting investment and creating jobs, in cooperation with the Palestinian Authority, Israel and Jordan. Second, the "Conference on Cooperation among East Asian Countries for Palestinian Development (CEAPAD).” Since 2009, CEAPAD has been instrumental in mobilizing the knowledge, experience, and economic resource of East Asian countries for the development of Palestine’s institutions and human resources. In collaboration with Indonesia and Malaysia, Japan has offered training courses for Palestinians in the fields of agriculture, finance, and small- and middle-sized enterprise support.
Let me conclude by expressing Japan's determination to spare no effort to achieve a two-state solution.
I thank you.
On 29 November, the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, Japan renewed its support for the Palestinians’ longstanding aspirations for statehood. We also renewed our commitment to building confidence among the parties and assisting Palestinians' state-building efforts. Japan supports a two-state solution whereby Israel and a future independent Palestinian state live side by side in peace and security. The Israeli-Palestinian conflict should be resolved only through negotiations, in accordance with relevant UN Security Council resolutions and internationally agreed parameters. Japan urges the parties to strive to build trust, to refrain from unilateral acts that hinder the resumption of direct negotiations.
Tensions in Gaza have decreased since the ceasefire was announced. Humanitarian and reconstruction efforts are ongoing with logistical and financial support from neighboring countries and donors. While more remains to be done to meet the humanitarian needs in Gaza, the ceasefire has brought about some positive developments, such as the smoother delivery of humanitarian goods, movement of people and issuance of Israeli work permits for Palestinians.
However, the situation on the ground remains worrisome. The settlement activities are in violation of international law. Japan is deeply concerned that in October, the Government of Israel announced the publication of tenders for housing units in the West Bank and East Jerusalem and approved plans for the construction of new housing units in settlements. At the same time, continued acts of violence in the West Bank must also cease. These acts jeopardize the efforts to build trust among the parties and could lead to a re-escalation. Japan calls upon all parties to halt any activities that would hinder progress towards the realization of a two-state solution and to seriously make efforts for the dialogues between the two parties, and reiterates that the solution cannot be achieved through violence but only through negotiations and mutual trust.
Mr. President,
Japan is committed to continuing its support to the people of Palestine so long as humanitarian and socio-economic challenges remain in Palestine, particularly in Gaza. Japan has extended grant aid of 23 million US dollars to Palestine since June and contributed 40.8 million US dollars to UNRWA this year. We appreciate new pledges of financial contribution made by other donors at the international conference on UNRWA in November, and call for further efforts, particularly by the countries in the region, to support the Agency which continues to face financial difficulties.
Furthermore, Japan has taken the lead in two important initiatives. First, the "Corridor for Peace and Prosperity." This programme aims at establishing a business model for regional cooperation through attracting investment and creating jobs, in cooperation with the Palestinian Authority, Israel and Jordan. Second, the "Conference on Cooperation among East Asian Countries for Palestinian Development (CEAPAD).” Since 2009, CEAPAD has been instrumental in mobilizing the knowledge, experience, and economic resource of East Asian countries for the development of Palestine’s institutions and human resources. In collaboration with Indonesia and Malaysia, Japan has offered training courses for Palestinians in the fields of agriculture, finance, and small- and middle-sized enterprise support.
Let me conclude by expressing Japan's determination to spare no effort to achieve a two-state solution.
I thank you.