Press Releases
Japan-Palestine Foreign Ministers’ Telephone Talk
April 2, 2024
On April 2nd, commencing at 5:00 p.m.(Japan time), for approximately 30 minutes, Ms. KAMIKAWA Yoko, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, held a telephone talk with H.E. Dr. Mohammad Mustafa, Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates of Palestine. The overview of the meeting is as follows;
- At the outset, Foreign Minister KAMIKAWA congratulated Dr. Mustafa on his appointment as Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, and welcomed the establishment of the new Palestinian cabinet.
- In addition, having expressed her strong sense of urgency on the continuing deterioration of the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip, Minister KAMIKAWA referred to the role Japan played in the adoption of the UN Security Council resolution on March 25, which pointed out the urgent need for an immediate ceasefire during Ramadan and the expansion of humanitarian assistance.
In light of the dire humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip and UNRWA's measures to improve its governance, Minister KAMIKAWA referred to Japan’s announcement made on April 2nd, regarding its decision to lift the suspension of financial contributions to UNRWA, and to provide assistance while checking the appropriateness on the use of funds. Minister KAMIKAWA also stated that Japan, through the funding, would provide assistance such as medical services for Palestinians in the neighboring countries and areas, and provide supplies for women and infants to respond to the poor sanitary conditions in the Gaza Strip. - In response, Prime Minister Mustafa expressed his gratitude for Japan's assistance for Palestine to date. Prime Minister Mustafa also stated that he would like to cooperate with Japan's initiative to strengthen UNRWA’s governance, and that he appreciated the resumption of Japan's contribution to UNRWA in view of the grave humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip. He also stated that he looked forward to Japan's continued support for Palestinians in the region.
- Minister KAMIKAWA also expressed her hopes for the new Palestinian cabinet to implement reforms of the Palestinian Authority (PA) in various areas, and stated that Japan will contribute to the realization of a “two-state solution”, in which Israel and a future Palestinian state will live side by side in peace and security. Prime Minister Mustafa elaborated on the current PA reforms and expressed his esteemed appreciation for Japan's commitment to Middle East peace.
- After exchanging views on the situation in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, the two sides concurred on continuous cooperation to restore stability as soon as possible.