Statement by Ambassador Motohide Yoshikawa
Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations
At the Open Debate of the United Nations Security Council
on the Situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian Question
23 July 2015
Mr. President,
I would like to pay tribute to The Honourable Murray McCully, Foreign Minister of New Zealand for convening this meeting of vital importance. I extend my appreciation to Mr. Nicolay Mladenov, Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, for his incisive briefing. I also take this opportunity to reiterate our gratitude to his predecessor, Mr. Robert Serry, for his dedication to the Peace Process.
1. Opening
Mr. President,
I would like to begin my statement by welcoming the conclusion of the final agreement (Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA)) on the Iranian nuclear issue in Vienna last week, as well as its endorsement through the adoption of U.N. Security Council Resolution 2231 on Monday.
In a region with increasingly complex and disastrous crises, we value this agreement as a timely testament to the possibilities of dialogue and diplomacy. Japan appreciates the efforts made by the parties and looks forward to its thorough implementation. As Iran further reintegrates into the global economy, we look to the country to play an increasing role for the stability in the region, commensurate with its influence. We thus hope that the agreement serves to strengthen not only the international non-proliferation regime but also the region’s stability.
2. The Humanitarian Situation in the Middle East
Mr. President,
The unabated violence and the absence of political solutions are exacerbating the plight of millions on the ground. According to OCHA (Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs), three of the four countries with the most severe and large-scale humanitarian crises, namely Syria, Iraq and Yemen, are located in the Middle East. The international community must not let the dire humanitarian situation become a breeding ground for extremist ideology. We thus condemn the heinous acts of terror committed in these past two weeks in Iraq and Turkey. At the same time, we must also not lose sight that political solutions are the only durable solutions to the on-going conflicts of the region.
3. The Situation in Syria
Mr. President,
This year marks the fifth year of the Syrian Crisis and the third since the Geneva Communiqué. With each passing day, we see more civilian casualties and a country further divided. An appalling point was reached this month when the number of Syrian refugees exceeded four million, the largest from a single conflict in a generation.
Against this grim situation, Japan joins the international community in addressing both the humanitarian and political tracks of the crisis. On the humanitarian side, Japan has disbursed more than 1.1 billion dollars in humanitarian assistance since the outbreak of the crisis, including approximately 200 million dollars in preferential loans to Jordan, which was announced in May.
Nevertheless, we are aware that the humanitarian crisis is but a symptom of the continued lack of a political solution. We hence reiterate our support for the efforts by Special Envoy Mr. Staffan de Mistura towards the implementation of the Geneva Communiqué. The Special Envoy cannot do this alone. We call on member states, particularly those with influence, to further contribute to the Special Envoy’s efforts.
4. The situation in Yemen
Mr. President,
Japan is deeply concerned with the situation in Yemen, where approximately 21 million Yemenis require humanitarian assistance. In response to this situation, the Government of Japan disbursed 2.4 million dollars of emergency grant aid for internally displaced persons (IDP) and refugees in May, constituting a part of the 40 million dollars in assistance disbursed since last September. Regarding which, we note with concern the difficulty of humanitarian access and call on all parties to ensure its unhindered access.
Japan has been consistent in supporting efforts towards a political transition by the U.N. and the GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) states. We are nevertheless concerned that despite such efforts, neither a cease-fire nor a humanitarian pause has been reached. Recognizing that a military solution to the Yemeni crisis is not durable, Japan reiterates its support for the efforts by the Special Envoy Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed for advancing an inclusive political process.
5. The Middle East Peace Process
Mr. President,
The instability of the region should not divert our attention away from the Middle East Peace Process. One year ago, we were reminded of the damage that the absence of a political solution can impose on the ground. The stagnant reconstruction process and the worsening economic situation of Gaza are of great concern.
Gaza is an integral part of Palestine. Hence the worsening humanitarian situation of Gaza not only undermines its precarious social cohesion but also the viability of two-states living side by side in peace and security. We therefore call on the international community to steadily disburse the pledges made at the Reconstruction Conference on Gaza last October and strengthen its support for UNRWA (United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East), which is facing serious funding shortages. Furthermore, we call for the easing and eventual lifting of the Gaza blockade, whilst duly taking security concerns into account.
Mr. President,
The worsening humanitarian situation on the ground highlights the need for the resumption of peace negotiations. An environment conducive to the resumption of talks must be recreated. In this regard, we welcome the easing of restrictions taken by the Israeli Government during Ramadan and urge that such measures be extended on a permanent basis.
It is imperative that both parties refrain from unilateral measures that could undermine efforts to resume peace negotiations. To this effect, we reiterate our call to Israel to freeze settlement activities, which are illegal under international law. Correspondingly, we call on Palestine to exert efforts to advance and consolidate its national reconciliation process.
In light of the current impasse, Japan believes that the international community, including the U.N. Security Council, could contribute to the resumption of negotiations, as appropriate and when necessary. We thus welcome the initiatives pursued by France to advance the process forward. Japan enjoys strong ties with both sides and is a principal contributor to Palestine development, including through initiatives such as the “Corridor for Peace and Prosperity Initiative” and CEAPAD (Conference on the Cooperation among East Asian countries for Palestinian Development) that mobilize regional actors. Firm in our belief that we can contribute towards a two-state solution; we thus stand ready to play a further constructive role in such international efforts.
6. Closing
We are confronting deep and complex crises in the region. Whilst the urgent humanitarian needs must surely be addressed, we must also not lose sight of the underlying factors that are fueling instability in the region. Prime Minister Abe, in his policy speech on the Middle East in January, highlighted the philosophy of “the Best Way is to Go in the Middle” representing the ancestral wisdom of the region. It emphasizes the importance of embracing dialogue and moderation, as well as of nurturing societies resistant to the allures of extremism. Although political resolutions are long and arduous, these are what are most needed at the moment.
With this understanding, Japan has pledged and is carrying out 2.5 billion dollars in non-military assistance to the region. Please rest assured that Japan, in cooperation the UN and the international community, stands ready to address not only the humanitarian crises but to support political solutions to the conflicts in the region.
