Statement by H.E. Ambassador OSUGA Takeshi, Deputy Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations, at the General Assembly 34th Plenary Meeting on Question of Palestine and The situation in the Middle East (item 37 and 38)

Monsieur le Président,
 
Tout d'abord, je voudrais réitérer, au nom du Gouvernement japonais, mes sincères condoléances à la famille, à l'Autorité palestinienne et au peuple palestinien à la suite du décès de M. Saeb Erekat, Secrétaire général de l'Organisation de libération de la Palestine, qui a apporté une contribution importante à la paix et la stabilité au Moyen-Orient ainsi qu'aux relations entre le Japon et la Palestine.
 
Hier, à l'occasion de la Journée internationale de solidarité avec le peuple palestinien, nous avons renouvelé notre soutien aux aspirations de longue date des Palestiniens à devenir un état. Nous avons également renouvelé notre engagement à instaurer la confiance entre les parties et à aider les Palestiniens aux efforts d’édification de l’état. Le Japon soutient une solution à deux États dans laquelle Israël et un futur état palestinien indépendant vivent côte à côte dans la paix et la sécurité. Le conflit israélo-palestinien ne devrait être résolu que par des négociations, conformément aux résolutions pertinentes du Conseil de sécurité des Nations Unies et aux paramètres convenus au niveau international. Le Japon exhorte les parties à s'efforcer de se faire confiance, à s'abstenir au maximum d'actes unilatéraux qui entravent la reprise des négociations directes et à redoubler d'efforts pour parvenir à une solution à deux états.
 
Les mesures unilatérales prises par l'un ou l'autre qui peuvent préjuger du statut final et éroder une solution à deux états ne peuvent jamais être acceptées. Il y a quatre ans, le Japon a voté en faveur de la résolution 2334 du Conseil de sécurité en tant que son membre à l'époque. Depuis lors, la situation sur le terrain n'a cessé de se détériorer. Le Japon réaffirme sa position selon laquelle les activités de peuplement israélienne en Cisjordanie, y compris à Jérusalem-Est, sont en violation du droit international, et déplore profondément la poursuite de ces activités de peuplement ainsi que la démolition des structures appartenant aux Palestiniens par le Gouvernement israélien. Le Japon exhorte à nouveau Israël à cesser immédiatement et complètement ces activités.
 
La violence reste également un risque majeur pour la paix et compromet davantage les perspectives de règlement pacifique du conflit. La violence contre les civils ne devrait en aucun cas être tolérée. Le Japon condamne tous les actes de violence et rappelle à toutes les parties que ce conflit ne sera jamais résolu par de tels actes.
 
Dans ce contexte, le Japon considère la décision de l’Autorité palestinienne de relancer la coopération avec Israël comme une mesure positive pour améliorer la situation budgétaire en percevant les recettes fiscales perçues par ce dernier et renforcer la confiance en vue des négociations futures.
  Mr. President,
 
At the outset, I would like to reiterate, on behalf of the Government of Japan, my heartfelt condolences to the family, the Palestinian Authority, and the Palestinian people on the passing of Dr. Saeb Erekat, Secretary-General of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), who made significant contributions to peace and stability in the Middle East as well as to the relationship between Japan and Palestine.
 
Yesterday, on the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, we renewed our 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 to the maximum extent from unilateral acts that hinder the resumption of direct negotiations, and to make further efforts towards realizing a two-state solution.
 
Unilateral measures by either party which may prejudge the final status and erode a two-state solution can never be accepted. Four years ago, Japan voted in favour of Security Council resolution 2334 as a Security Council member at the time. Since then, the situation on the ground has continued to deteriorate. Japan reaffirms its position that Israeli settlement activities in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, are in violation of international law, and deeply deplores the continued settlement activities as well as the demolition of Palestinian-owned structures by the Government of Israel. Japan once again urges Israel to cease such activities immediately and completely.
 
Violence also remains a major risk to peace and further undermines the prospects for a peaceful resolution of the conflict. Violence against civilians should not be tolerated under any circumstances. Japan condemns all acts of violence, and reminds all the parties that this conflict will never be solved through such acts.
 
In this context, Japan regards the Palestinian Authority’s decision to restart cooperation with Israel as a positive step for improving the fiscal situation by receiving tax revenues collected by the latter and building confidence towards future negotiations.
  Mr. President,
 
Japan has been committed to assisting the Palestinians for decades with a view to creating an environment conducive to the achievement of peace in the Middle East. We are determined to support the economic development as well as the capacity- and institution-building required to build a future independent and self-reliant Palestinian state.
 
The sustained economic development of Palestine is essential for realizing a two-state solution. Japan continues to promote the "Corridor for Peace and Prosperity” initiative, in cooperation with the Palestinian Authority, Israel and Jordan, as a medium- to long-term endeavour for coexistence and co-prosperity. The Jericho Agro-Industrial Park, the flagship project under this initiative in which a growing number of companies have participated year by year, is contributing to the creation of jobs and the improvement of the livelihoods of Palestinians. The Conference on Cooperation among East Asian countries for Palestinian Development (CEAPAD) that Japan launched in 2013 continues to be instrumental in assisting the economic development of Palestine by drawing knowledge and best practices from the experiences of East Asian countries.
 
We are seriously concerned over the sharp increase of COVID-19 cases in the Gaza Strip. Japan highly appreciates the hard work to contain the virus by international organizations, especially the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). Japan continues to make voluntary contributions to UNRWA in order to mitigate the hardships and difficulties faced by the Palestinians. The humanitarian situation surrounding the refugees is becoming increasingly severe due to the multifaceted impact of COVID-19 on human security. Japan contributed approximately 30 million USD to UNRWA this year, including 1.5 million USD earlier this year to tackle COVID-19 and 4.1 million USD of food assistance decided in October. Japan also provides bilateral assistance to the Palestinian Authority in various fields, such as building schools and supporting refugee camps in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Japan remains actively committed to ensuring human security in Palestine.
 
Mr. President,
 
In conclusion, Japan firmly believes that the progress toward comprehensive peace in the Middle East will greatly reduce tensions in the region and will boost the potential for regional prosperity. It is our ardent hope that a just, lasting and comprehensive peace will be realized at the earliest possible time. To that end, Japan will continue to play an active role in tackling the imminent challenges on the one hand and cementing the foundations for peace and stability on the other, in close cooperation with the international community.
 
Shukran Jazeelan.