Statement by H.E. Ambassador YAMAZAKI Kazuyuki, Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations, at the Security Council (Adoption) EOV after the vote on “The situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question”

 
Thank you, Madam President.
 
At the outset, let me express appreciation to Guyana for its important role in pushing forward this important initiative for this resolution.
 
It has been more than 400 days since Hamas and others killed more than 1,200 Israelis and took more than 200 hostages, which Japan firmly condemns.
 
Until now, the devastation in Gaza has shown no signs of abating, with tens of thousands of civilian casualties, an appalling death toll of UN personnel and humanitarian aid workers, and massive displacement.
 
Given the ever-worsening situation, this draft resolution, if adopted, would have been a much-needed pronouncement by the Security Council demanding an immediate ceasefire as well as an immediate release of all hostages.
 
Its passage could also have sent a strong message towards a dramatic expansion of humanitarian aid throughout the Strip, in particular, to the most vulnerable Palestinians in the north.
 
Therefore, Japan joined all the other elected members as co-penholders of this draft resolution and voted in favor.
 
It is deeply regrettable that we could not come to a text which all the Council members can accept.
 
However, now is not a moment to trade accusations for the continuation of this nightmare.
 
The Council member that could not support the draft resolution is working tirelessly to end the agony in Gaza, and Japan continues to support their diplomatic efforts.
 
Madam President,
 
Despite today’s setback, we should not stop working to improve the catastrophic situation on the ground.
 
Today is World Children’s Day. But, without our collective actions, the children in Gaza -- the future of Gaza -- will continue to pay the high price of this conflict.
 
This Council must keep their plight in mind as we work to immediately bring about the long-awaited ceasefire.
 
Japan remains steadfastly committed to this end, both here at this Council and through multilateral and bilateral channels as well.
 
I thank you, Madam President.