Palestine’s representative to Japan has called on the Japanese government to recognize Palestinian statehood.
Waleed Siam, the ambassador of the Permanent General Mission of Palestine, met reporters on Monday in Tokyo, following the Japanese government’s recently expressed intention to forego recognizing a Palestinian state at the UN General Assembly.
Four nations, including Britain and Canada, officially recognized Palestine as a state on Sunday.
Siam told reporters: “We appeal directly to the government and the people of Japan. Stand with the victims. Stand with the victims, not the culprit. Recognize Palestine. The time is now.”
Israel strongly opposes recognizing Palestinian statehood, describing such a move as “a huge reward to terrorism.”
Siam said that recognition of the State of Palestine is the right of all Palestinians. He said, “Using Hamas as an excuse is lame.”
He also said, “Hamas is going to give up its weapons.” He added that Hamas will no longer be part of the “military existence” in Gaza or any Palestinian territory.
He said, “Hamas should return as a political party if they want to join the Palestinian state.”
AloJapan.com