Press Releases
Japan-Israel Foreign Ministers’ Telephone Talk
December 26, 2024
On December 26, commencing at 4:05 p.m. (Japan Time) for approximately 40 minutes, Mr. IWAYA Takeshi, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, held a telephone talk with H.E. Mr. Gideon SA’AR, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the State of Israel. The overview is as follows:
- At the outset, Minister Iwaya congratulated Foreign Minister Sa’ar on his assumption of office.
- During the exchange of views over the situation in the Middle East, Minister Iwaya referred to the situation surrounding the Gaza Strip, recalling that more than a year has passed since the terror attacks by Hamas, and stressed the necessity of realizing an early ceasefire so that the return of all hostages and a fundamental improvement of the humanitarian situation can be achieved. Furthermore, while strongly calling for abiding by international law, including international humanitarian law, such as protecting civilians and further strengthening humanitarian assistance activities, Minister Iwaya conveyed Japan’s grave concern over the laws adopted by the Israeli Parliament (Knesset) that would severely restrict the activities of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), and called for ensuring a conducive environment for humanitarian assistance activities in a sustainable manner.
- Regarding the situation in Syria, Minister Iwaya stated Japan's position that the future of Syria should be determined by the Syrian people themselves and that Japan calls on all parties to immediately cease violence and to abide by international law, including international humanitarian law. In response, Minister Sa'ar explained Israel's position.
- On the situation surrounding Lebanon, Minister Iwaya explained that Japan welcomes the ceasefire agreement, and also emphasized that Japan did not want to see further escalation of tensions in the entire Middle East region, and called on Israel to exercise maximum restraint and fully implement the agreements. In response, Minister Sa'ar explained the position of the Israeli side.
- Both Ministers concurred on continuing close communication between Japan and Israel.