Press Releases
Parliamentary Senior Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Kishi discussed on the situation in the Gaza Strip with Ms. Ruth Kahanoff, Ambassador of the State of Israel and Mr. Waleed Siam, Ambassador of the Permanent General Mission of Palestine
Parliamentary Senior Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Nobuo Kishi met separately with Ms. Ruth Kahanoff, Ambassador of the State of Israel, and Mr. Waleed Siam, Ambassador of the Permanent General Mission of Palestine, and discussed on the resent situation in the Gaza Strip.
1. Mr. Kishi conveyed as follows on the recent situation in the Gaza Strip.
(1) It is deeply regretted that, despite efforts by the international community including the Egyptian proposal for a ceasefire, Palestinian militants did not accept the international efforts. Japan is deeply concerned that the violence between the Gaza Strip and Israel continues and subsequently an Israeli ground operation into Gaza was launched.
(2) To end the vicious cycle of violence as early as possible, Japan once again urges all the parties concerned to exercise maximum restraint and demands refraining from use of excessive force to prevent harrowing casualties of innocent civilians.
(3) Japan will strengthen its appeal to Israel and Palestine and make efforts to calm the situation and achieve a lasting ceasefire in coordination with the international community.
2. In response to this, Ambassador Kahanoff explained the current circumstances where Israeli civilians live and the background about the launch of an Israeli ground operation, and expressed her expectation for cooperation by the international community towards an immediate ceasefire.
3. Ambassador Siam, in his meeting with Mr. Kishi, stated that the violence must be stopped in face of many casualties of civilians including women and children, and expressed his strong expectation for the role of Japan, which has friendly relationships with both Israel and Palestine.