パレスチナを含む中東情勢に関する安保理公開討論における石兼大使ステートメント
令和4年1月19日
(As delivered)
Madame President,At the outset, I would like to stress Japan's commitment to supporting a two-state solution based on relevant UN Security Council resolutions and internationally agreed parameters.
To achieve such a solution, discussing outstanding issues and building trust among the parties are the necessary first steps. From this viewpoint, Japan views positively meetings between Palestine and Israel, such as that between Mr. Abbas, President of Palestine, and Mr. Gantz, Minister of Defense of Israel in the final week of 2021.
On the other hand, we have witnessed during the past months violent exchanges between Israelis and Palestinians in the West Bank. Settlement activities in the West Bank as well as those reported in the Golan Heights remain of deep concern. These acts jeopardize efforts to build trust among the parties and could lead to re-escalation. Japan calls upon all parties to halt any activities that would hinder progress towards the realization of a two-state solution, and reiterates that the solution cannot be achieved through violence but only through negotiations and mutual trust.
Japan also encourages all Palestinian stakeholders to start as soon as possible constructive discussions to realize intra-Palestinian reconciliation, including through the renunciation of violence by Hamas and other Palestinian militants.
Madame President,
Japan is committed to continuing its support to the people of Palestine so long as humanitarian and socio-economic challenges remain in Palestine. Japan decided last month to extend fresh grant aid of 2.85 million US dollars to UNRWA for its activities in Syria, Lebanon, and Jordan. This adds to our 40.8 million US dollar contribution to UNRWA for 2021. Adding to that, Japan is finalizing its supplementary budget processes to extend 15.2 million US dollars to the Agency. Japan calls for further international efforts, particularly by the countries in the region, to support UNRWA as the Agency continues to face chronic financial difficulties.
Lastly, I would like to remind the Council of two initiatives Japan has long promoted. First is the "Corridor for Peace and Prosperity" which aims to catalyse regional investment cooperation with the Palestinian Authority, Israel and Jordan. Second is the "Conference on Cooperation among East Asian Countries for Palestinian Development (CEAPAD)” which aims to mobilize the experience and resources of East Asian countries for Palestine’s institutional and human resources development.
Let me conclude by expressing Japan's determination to spare no effort to achieve a two-state solution.
I thank you.