Press Releases
Japan-Israel Foreign Ministers’ Telephone Conversation
On July 14, commencing at around 3:30PM for approximately 20 minutes, Mr. MOTEGI Toshimitsu, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, held a telephone conversation with Lt. Gen. (res.) Gabi Ashkenazi, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the State of Israel. The overview is as follows:
1. At the outset, Minister Motegi congratulated Minister Ashkenazi on his appointment to Foreign Minister. He touched upon the two countries’ economic relations, cooperation in the defense field, the partnership in the fight against COVID-19, and said that he wished to continue to cooperate to develop bilateral relations and for peace and stability in the region. In response, Minister Ashkenazi expressed his appreciation, and said that he placed importance in cooperation with Japan and wished to continue building favorable relations with Japan.
2. On the Middle East Peace Process, Minister Motegi stated that, if unilateral measures were to be taken by Israel with regard to the West Bank of the Jordan River, it will severely undermine mutual confidence among the parties concerned toward achieving a two-state solution, and may lead to the destabilization of the region, irrespective of the territorial scope of such unilateral measures. He expressed his strong expectation for Israel to act in a sensible manner.
3. The two Ministers had a frank exchange of views on regional affairs, among other things. They shared the view that they would continue to work closely in the future.