[Comment] Calling for a Declaration of Recognition of the State of Palestine for the Immediate Improvement of the Dire Humanitarian Situation in Gaza and the Achievement of a Permanent Ceasefire (Provisional Translation)

Katsuya Okada, Chair, Diplomacy and Security Strategy Project Team

Koichi Takemasa, Next Minister for Foreign Affairs and the Abduction Issue

The conflict between Israel and Palestine continues, and the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip is particularly dire. In particular, Israel has banned the activities of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), restricted the entry of relief supplies, and attacked relief distribution centers, resulting in aid not reaching those in need. As a result, many civilians, including children, are dying of hunger every day. The United Nations has warned that the worst-case famine scenario is unfolding and has called for immediate action to prevent mass casualties. Even President Trump has acknowledged that real famine is occurring in Gaza and has stated that, in cooperation with other countries, he will establish food centers.

Against the backdrop of this severe humanitarian crisis in Gaza, France has announced its intention to recognize Palestine as a state at the UN General Assembly in September and has called for an international conference on the “two-state solution” to be held at UN Headquarters. The United Kingdom has also indicated that it may recognize Palestine as a state, albeit with conditions, and Canada has subsequently announced its intention to recognize it as well. Japan, too,  based on the relationships it has built with the Middle East, should take an autonomous role in addressing the situation in Palestine, and should make every diplomatic effort to continue humanitarian assistance in Palestine and achieve a ceasefire.

Japan has consistently maintained the positions of supporting a “two-state solution” in which Israel and Palestine coexist, and not recognizing settlements in the West Bank. In order to strongly urge Israel to implement an immediate ceasefire, to pressure for the full acceptance of humanitarian assistance in Palestine—including emergency famine relief operations by the UN and NGOs—and to support the establishment of an independent Palestinian state and a permanent peace, Japan should promptly consider recognizing Palestine as a state.

Once again, we call on Israel to immediately halt its attacks on Gaza, and on Hamas to release all hostages without delay. We urge both Israel and Hamas to reach a renewed ceasefire agreement, and call on the Government of Japan to take a proactive role in preventing the catastrophic humanitarian crisis in Gaza.