Statement by H.E. Ambassador YAMAZAKI Kazuyuki, Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations, at the Security Council Briefing on the Situation in Yemen and Israel

Thank you, Madam President.

I thank ASG Khiari and Dr. Knights for their informative briefings.

I wish to make three points.

First, Japan strongly condemns the repeated launch of missiles and drones by the Houthis against Israel.

We are also deeply concerned about the damage to civilian infrastructure and the attacks on civilians and the staff of international organizations, including the most recent incident on UN delegation headed by Dr. Tedros, which were caused by Israeli air strikes.

Further escalation must be averted, particularly at a time when Yemen is facing a humanitarian crisis.

The Houthis claim that they are acting in solidarity with the Palestinians in Gaza. However, they have to recognize that their conduct is not helping the Palestinians at all. They are only agonizing the people in the region and beyond, including Yemenis, by fueling tension in the already inflamed Middle East.

Such opportunistic and irrational behavior must stop immediately.

The Houthis should instead engage constructively in the peace process to end the decade-long conflict and human suffering in the country.

We also urge Iran to exercise its influence over the Houthis and let them hold back.

Second, we cannot turn blind eyes to the enormous amount of the Houthis’ weapons. In the words of the Panel of Experts, there is an unprecedented scale of arms embargo violations against the rebel group.

All countries – of course, including the members of this Council – must strictly adhere to Security Council resolution 2140, 2216 and other relevant resolutions. Member states should carefully monitor related transaction by both state-owned and private companies.

Third, let me take this opportunity to condemn the other unlawful acts of the Houthis once again, including attacks on international shipping for over a year, as well as the detention of UN and other humanitarian and human rights workers.

The Houthis must immediately cease these reckless activities and unconditionally release all those arbitrarily detained, including the Galaxy Leader and its crew.

Madam President,

Since this will most likely be Japan’s final statement as a Security Council member before its current term ends tomorrow, I wish to make a few concluding comments.

First of all, let me congratulate you, Madam President, and the US team for a successful presidency this month.

I would like to express our sincere gratitude to the members of the Council and the Member States for the valuable cooperation and support provided to us over the past two years.

I also thank the Security Council Affairs Division, the Interpretation Service and other Secretariat staff members for their valuable assistance and dedication.

It has been a tremendous honor for me and our team to serve in the body with the primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security.

The past two years have not been an easy period for all of us, but it was a privilege for us to work with the colleagues of the Council day and night to seek solution or at least try to prevent the deterioration of the situation.

We will cherish many experiences acquired in this Council.

Let me wrap up my statement by wishing the membership of the Security Council in 2025 all the best, and by pledging that Japan will continue to contribute to international peace and security, which is the cause of this Council, in whatever capacity we may have.

And, we look forward to working in this Chamber in the near future.

I thank you.