Israel’s military offensive in the Gaza Strip is set to be a major topic next week at the United Nations General Assembly in New York. But Japan will not be using the meeting to recognize a Palestinian state.
Foreign Minister Iwaya Takeshi says he held separate phone talks on Friday with his Israeli and Palestinian counterparts. He says he told them that Japan will not recognize a Palestinian state for the time being.
France recently announced plans to recognize a Palestinian state. Britain and Canada followed, subject to certain conditions.
Iwaya says he will attend a conference in New York on Monday seeking a two-state solution. He also says he spoke by phone with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, stressing the need to pressure Israel into immediately halting its unilateral actions.
Iwaya says Japan will take measures if Israel further hampers attempts to realize a two-state solution.
Israel thanks Japan for ‘responsible decision’ on Palestine state
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar has thanked Japan for deciding not to recognize a Palestinian state at the upcoming United Nations General Assembly.
Saar’s office released a statement saying he spoke by phone on Friday with his Japanese counterpart Iwaya Takeshi. It says Saar expressed thanks for Japan’s “responsible decision.”
US official welcomes Japan’s move to not recognize Palestinian state for now
A senior US government official has welcomed Japan’s decision not to recognize a Palestinian state during the upcoming UN General Assembly.
US State Department Deputy Spokesperson Mignon Houston spoke to NHK after Japan’s foreign minister made the announcement on Friday.
She said the recognition of Palestinian statehood at this stage is “counterproductive” and “would undermine negotiations for peace.”
Houston also said, “What Japan has done, is what we would like to see.”
Israel’s military offensive in the Gaza Strip is set to be a major topic at the UN gathering, which starts next week in New York.
Houston added, “We do not want to do anything or see countries take any actions that would embolden Hamas, as opposed to disarm them.”
AloJapan.com