Statement by H.E. Mr. Hideaki Kobayashi Deputy Permanent Representative of Japan at the Open Meeting of the Security Council on the Situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian Question

5 October 2000

Mr. President,

   My delegation expresses its appreciation to you, Mr. President, for providing us with the opportunity to present Japan's views on the grave situation we face today in the Middle East.

   Japan deplores the escalation of violent clashes between the Palestinians and the Israeli authorities in Jerusalem and other cities, in which more than sixty people, mostly civilians including innocent children, have been killed. We condemn the acts of provocation and are concerned at the instances of excessive use of force that have been observed in the past few days.

   I wish on behalf of the Government and people of Japan to extend my sincere condolences to the bereaved families and to express the sincere hope for the early recovery of those wounded.

   In the hope of helping the wounded and saving precious lives, and in response to a request from the Palestinian Authority, Japan has decided to provide through the UNDP 500,000 US dollars' worth of emergency humanitarian assistance for the purchase of medical equipment that is urgently needed in the West Bank and Gaza at this time of crisis.

   Further casualties must be avoided. The immediate task is to halt the clashes as soon as possible. To this end, we strongly urge the parties concerned to act with utmost restraint and refrain from any further acts of provocation and violence. Nothing can be achieved through violence, which only claims more victims and leaves deeper scars in the hearts of the people.

   In this context, Japan welcomes the diplomatic efforts which the parties concerned have made in Paris to reverse the cycle of violence, and we commend the initiatives taken by the United States, France and Egypt in facilitating such efforts. We appeal to the parties concerned to respond to the call of the international community for the cessation of violence and avoidance of further bloodshed.

Mr. President,

   The current crisis attests most starkly to the need to realize a just, lasting and comprehensive peace in the Middle East. This is what the people of the region so desperately desire and what the international community is committed to achieving. We must not allow this crisis to derail the ongoing peace process. Japan reiterates its support for the efforts by the parties concerned to achieve peace and remains committed to assisting the peace process through various international fora and channels.

   Thank you.