ガザ人道決議案に対する拒否権に係る総会討論における志野大使ステートメント
令和6年1月9日
(As delivered)
Thank you, Mr. President.
The Security Council adopted Resolution 2720 after intense negotiations. As a responsible member of the Security Council, Japan worked constructively towards an agreeable text that aims to address the ongoing crisis in Gaza.
Mr. President,
Even after the adoption of Resolution 2720, heavy fighting and air strikes continue, reportedly killing more than 23,000 people in total and resulting in the displacement of nearly 90% of Gaza's population. We deeply mourn the loss of over 140 UNRWA staff and humanitarian workers killed during the conflict.
The situation in Gaza is nothing short of a humanitarian catastrophe. We have strongly urged all parties to act in good faith based on Resolutions 2720 and 2712 and to comply with international law, especially international humanitarian law and human rights law.
Japan strongly supports the diplomatic efforts of relevant countries. We are here today due to the veto of a permanent member to an amendment proposal. It should also be recalled, however, that this member has made and is making vigorous efforts to address the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza.
We should not forget that Hamas and other groups brutally killed innocent citizens in its barbaric terror attacks on 7 October. All remaining hostages must be released immediately.
Mr. President,
We are gravely concerned about the further spillover of this conflict to the wider region. We have already witnessed an unprecedented scale of violence in the West Bank. Cross-border attacks have increased between Israel and Hezbollah posing a grave risk to the regional stability.
In addition, the Houthis’ continued attacks against commercial vessels in the Red Sea have shaken maritime security and the global economy. We strongly demand the Houthis to release the Japanese-operated vessel “Galaxy Leader” and its crew immediately and unconditionally.
Mr. President,
The risk of escalation is extremely high, and a single miscalculation could lead to a disastrous and uncontrollable conflict. We therefore urge all parties to exercise maximum restraint to de-escalate the tensions. Japan also demands all parties to abide by Security Council Resolutions 2720 and 2712 to facilitate and expand the life-saving humanitarian aid to and throughout Gaza.
In this vein, we express our high hope for the work of Ms. Sigrid Kaag as the Senior Humanitarian and Reconstruction Coordinator for Gaza. Japan, as a major donor, remains committed to supporting her efforts to find a realistic approach to alleviate the humanitarian crisis.
Mr. President,
While we recognize Israel’s security concerns, we cannot allow the Palestinian generations to come to live with the sole memory of trauma, devastating losses and barely any means of survival.
This humanitarian catastrophe must be stopped now. This is what the world and the humanitarian community desire. Even in the harshest of times, the spirit of two-state solution must be kept alive where both Israel and a viable Palestinian State live side by side in mutual peace and security.
I thank you, Mr. President.
The Security Council adopted Resolution 2720 after intense negotiations. As a responsible member of the Security Council, Japan worked constructively towards an agreeable text that aims to address the ongoing crisis in Gaza.
Mr. President,
Even after the adoption of Resolution 2720, heavy fighting and air strikes continue, reportedly killing more than 23,000 people in total and resulting in the displacement of nearly 90% of Gaza's population. We deeply mourn the loss of over 140 UNRWA staff and humanitarian workers killed during the conflict.
The situation in Gaza is nothing short of a humanitarian catastrophe. We have strongly urged all parties to act in good faith based on Resolutions 2720 and 2712 and to comply with international law, especially international humanitarian law and human rights law.
Japan strongly supports the diplomatic efforts of relevant countries. We are here today due to the veto of a permanent member to an amendment proposal. It should also be recalled, however, that this member has made and is making vigorous efforts to address the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza.
We should not forget that Hamas and other groups brutally killed innocent citizens in its barbaric terror attacks on 7 October. All remaining hostages must be released immediately.
Mr. President,
We are gravely concerned about the further spillover of this conflict to the wider region. We have already witnessed an unprecedented scale of violence in the West Bank. Cross-border attacks have increased between Israel and Hezbollah posing a grave risk to the regional stability.
In addition, the Houthis’ continued attacks against commercial vessels in the Red Sea have shaken maritime security and the global economy. We strongly demand the Houthis to release the Japanese-operated vessel “Galaxy Leader” and its crew immediately and unconditionally.
Mr. President,
The risk of escalation is extremely high, and a single miscalculation could lead to a disastrous and uncontrollable conflict. We therefore urge all parties to exercise maximum restraint to de-escalate the tensions. Japan also demands all parties to abide by Security Council Resolutions 2720 and 2712 to facilitate and expand the life-saving humanitarian aid to and throughout Gaza.
In this vein, we express our high hope for the work of Ms. Sigrid Kaag as the Senior Humanitarian and Reconstruction Coordinator for Gaza. Japan, as a major donor, remains committed to supporting her efforts to find a realistic approach to alleviate the humanitarian crisis.
Mr. President,
While we recognize Israel’s security concerns, we cannot allow the Palestinian generations to come to live with the sole memory of trauma, devastating losses and barely any means of survival.
This humanitarian catastrophe must be stopped now. This is what the world and the humanitarian community desire. Even in the harshest of times, the spirit of two-state solution must be kept alive where both Israel and a viable Palestinian State live side by side in mutual peace and security.
I thank you, Mr. President.