Statement by H.E. Ambassador YAMAZAKI Kazuyuki, Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations, at the United Nations Security Council Open Debate on “The Situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian Question”

Thank you, Mr. President. I welcome your convening this important session of the Security Council.
 
I thank Special Coordinator Wennesland for his sobering briefing.
 
One destructive year has passed.
 
Japan renews its unequivocal and strong condemnation of the heinous terror attacks and hostage-taking by Hamas and others on October 7 last year.
 
Since then, Gaza’s agony has been deepening: tens of thousands of civilians have been killed and injured and the population, including the hostages, are enduring unimaginable horrors.
 
The longer the conflict in Gaza, the more innocent civilians victimized, the more hostages’ suffering and their lives in danger, the worse the humanitarian situation, and the greater the risk of the conflict spreading to the wider region.
 
Therefore, Japan once again strongly demands an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and the release of all remaining hostages.
 
We support resolution 2735 and remain hopeful that the tireless diplomacy of the US, Egypt and Qatar will achieve a breakthrough soon.
 
In the meantime, we must save the most vulnerable, particularly those in northern Gaza, who are facing siege, bombardment, evacuation orders, and starvation.
 
The delay in the polio vaccine campaign in the north is also deeply worrying.
 
Moreover, Japan is gravely concerned about the Knesset bills adopted yesterday severely restricting the operations of UNRWA, an agency indispensable for sustaining the lives of the Palestinian citizens and refugees.
 
Any further humanitarian tragedies cannot be tolerated and preventing them is the responsibility of the UN Members. While we need to watch the reform of UNRWA, maintaining the function of UNRWA is a part of this responsibility.
 
Mr. President,
 
Beyond Gaza, the situation in the West Bank remains serious.
 
We call on the Israeli government to fully freeze settlement activities, and take appropriate measures to prevent continued extremist settler violence.
 
A revitalized Palestinian Authority is critical to restoring peace and stability for both Israel and Palestine.
 
Thus, we the international community should assist in reforming the PA, both politically and financially.
 
For decades, Japan has provided necessary assistance to the PA.
 
What we have offered is not just resources or projects, but a hope for a peaceful future.
 
We remain steadfastly committed to this end.
 
Mr. President,
 
Japan is deeply concerned about the exchanges of attacks among regional actors, including the latest attack by Israel against Iranian military facilities, and strongly condemns any action that escalates the already volatile situation.
 
All parties should exercise maximum restraint.
 
In Lebanon, fighting between the IDF and Hezbollah continues, affecting civilians on both sides of the Blue Line.
 
More than 2,000 people have been killed since last year, and over a million of people have been forced to flee their homes.
 
Many have crossed into Syria.
 
This crisis is spreading.
 
To prevent further escalation, we reiterate our call for an immediate ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah and urge all parties to make sincere efforts for a diplomatic settlement.
 
Significantly increasing the flow of humanitarian assistance is vital in addressing the needs of people in Lebanon who are suffering at this very moment. 
 
Japan has recently decided to extend an emergency grant of 10 million dollars for humanitarian assistance to the people in Lebanon.
 
Today, we also decided to provide an additional 10 million dollars in response to the humanitarian situation in Syria which has witnessed the influx of displaced people from Lebanon.
 
Mr. President,
 
Finally, Japan reiterates that only a two-state solution can finally resolve this conflict. Peace cannot be achieved through belligerency, but only through diplomacy.
 
I thank you, Mr. President.