第74回国連総会議題35「パレスチナ問題」におけるステートメント
令和元年12月4日
(Check against delivery)
I thank you, Mr. President, for convening this important meeting.
Last week, on the occasion of the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, we reaffirmed our support for the Palestinians’ longstanding aspirations for statehood. Today, we wish to again express our sincere hope for the realization of peace in the Middle East at the earliest possible date when an independent Palestinian state and Israel can coexist side by side in peace and security. Japan firmly supports a two-state solution to be achieved through negotiations. We believe that the issues the two parties face cannot be resolved through violence, and instead the parties must face each other in earnest and seek a peaceful resolution.
In this regard, we are deeply concerned about continued violence both in the region, and about casualties and injuries caused among both Israelis and Palestinians by subsequent responses by the two sides. The indiscriminate launches of rockets at civilian population centres cannot be accepted. We strongly condemn violence and terrorism, including those rocket attacks against innocent civilians, especially children, women and journalists. There is no justification for the killing of civilians anywhere. We call upon all the parties concerned to take immediate steps to prevent all acts of violence, provocations and incitement and strongly urge them to exert their maximum efforts toward resuming peace negotiations.
Mr. President,
Japan deeply deplores the continued settlement activities as well as the demolition of Palestinian-owned structures by the Government of Israel. We voted in favour of the Security Council resolution 2334 in 2016, as a Member of the then Security Council, and our position is clear and unchanged. As the Resolution stated, “the establishment by Israel of settlements in the Palestinian territory occupied since 1967, including East Jerusalem, has no legal validity and constitutes a flagrant violation under international law” and it also constitutes “a major obstacle to the achievement of the two-State solution and a just, lasting and comprehensive peace”. The international community, including Japan, has repeatedly called upon the Government of Israel to desist from those activities. Japan once again strongly urges the Government of Israel to completely cease all settlement activities in the occupied Palestinian territory, including implementation of construction plans that are undermining the viability of a two-state solution.
Mr. President,
Regarding the recent rise in tensions in Gaza, Japan welcomes mediation efforts by Egypt. We will closely follow the situation on the ground and continue to play an active role for the stabilization of Gaza and the entire region, not only through temporary assistance and emergency humanitarian aid, but also through other long-standing commitments.
Japan also welcomes the adoption of a resolution to renew the mandate of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) in the Fourth Committee of the General Assembly. It is undeniable and unchanged that UNRWA’s assistance to Palestine refugees plays a crucial humanitarian role. Taking note that the reports of UN Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS) did not find that there was fraud involving donor funds, Japan will continue to support UNRWA's activities, together with other international partners, through multi-dimensional contributions.
Mr. President,
Japan supports efforts toward the holding of general elections of Palestine. Elections are fundamental for democracy and are crucial for the establishment of a viable and sovereign Palestinian state. We call on all the parties to take the necessary measures to ensure free and fair elections, including occupied Gaza and East Jerusalem, and hope that elections will contribute to peace and stability in the region.
The Middle East peace process remains a top priority for the international community. Lasting peace and stability in the region cannot be realized without finding a solution to this issue. Japan will remain actively engaged both politically and economically to support progress in the peace process in cooperation with international partners.
I thank you, Mr. President.
Last week, on the occasion of the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, we reaffirmed our support for the Palestinians’ longstanding aspirations for statehood. Today, we wish to again express our sincere hope for the realization of peace in the Middle East at the earliest possible date when an independent Palestinian state and Israel can coexist side by side in peace and security. Japan firmly supports a two-state solution to be achieved through negotiations. We believe that the issues the two parties face cannot be resolved through violence, and instead the parties must face each other in earnest and seek a peaceful resolution.
In this regard, we are deeply concerned about continued violence both in the region, and about casualties and injuries caused among both Israelis and Palestinians by subsequent responses by the two sides. The indiscriminate launches of rockets at civilian population centres cannot be accepted. We strongly condemn violence and terrorism, including those rocket attacks against innocent civilians, especially children, women and journalists. There is no justification for the killing of civilians anywhere. We call upon all the parties concerned to take immediate steps to prevent all acts of violence, provocations and incitement and strongly urge them to exert their maximum efforts toward resuming peace negotiations.
Mr. President,
Japan deeply deplores the continued settlement activities as well as the demolition of Palestinian-owned structures by the Government of Israel. We voted in favour of the Security Council resolution 2334 in 2016, as a Member of the then Security Council, and our position is clear and unchanged. As the Resolution stated, “the establishment by Israel of settlements in the Palestinian territory occupied since 1967, including East Jerusalem, has no legal validity and constitutes a flagrant violation under international law” and it also constitutes “a major obstacle to the achievement of the two-State solution and a just, lasting and comprehensive peace”. The international community, including Japan, has repeatedly called upon the Government of Israel to desist from those activities. Japan once again strongly urges the Government of Israel to completely cease all settlement activities in the occupied Palestinian territory, including implementation of construction plans that are undermining the viability of a two-state solution.
Mr. President,
Regarding the recent rise in tensions in Gaza, Japan welcomes mediation efforts by Egypt. We will closely follow the situation on the ground and continue to play an active role for the stabilization of Gaza and the entire region, not only through temporary assistance and emergency humanitarian aid, but also through other long-standing commitments.
Japan also welcomes the adoption of a resolution to renew the mandate of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) in the Fourth Committee of the General Assembly. It is undeniable and unchanged that UNRWA’s assistance to Palestine refugees plays a crucial humanitarian role. Taking note that the reports of UN Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS) did not find that there was fraud involving donor funds, Japan will continue to support UNRWA's activities, together with other international partners, through multi-dimensional contributions.
Mr. President,
Japan supports efforts toward the holding of general elections of Palestine. Elections are fundamental for democracy and are crucial for the establishment of a viable and sovereign Palestinian state. We call on all the parties to take the necessary measures to ensure free and fair elections, including occupied Gaza and East Jerusalem, and hope that elections will contribute to peace and stability in the region.
The Middle East peace process remains a top priority for the international community. Lasting peace and stability in the region cannot be realized without finding a solution to this issue. Japan will remain actively engaged both politically and economically to support progress in the peace process in cooperation with international partners.
I thank you, Mr. President.