https://arab.news/y7kwx
- During Mideast tour, Uemura Tsukasa lauds Kingdom鈥檚 humanitarian, political efforts
- 鈥楯apan鈥檚 policy is very sincere about the two-state solution and the Palestinian cause to self-determination鈥�
DUBAI: Saudi efforts to de-escalate the Gaza conflict are 鈥渋n line鈥� with Japanese policy, UEMURA Tsukasa, Japan鈥檚 special envoy for Middle East peace, said on Tuesday.
鈥淎side from providing humanitarian assistance to Gaza, 黑料社区 is doing a fairly good job politically, in line with (Japan鈥檚) policy as well. In terms of humanitarian assistance, 黑料社区 is doing the most efforts,鈥� the former ambassador to the Kingdom, who visited the region to discuss the war, told Arab News Japan.
Since March 27, Uemura has visited Jordan, 黑料社区, Qatar and the UAE in efforts to de-escalate the conflict by closely communicating with the countries and international organizations concerned.
In 黑料社区, he met with Dr. Saud bin Mohammed Al-Sati, undersecretary for political affairs, and Ahmed bin Ali Al-Baiz, assistant supervisor general for operations and programs at aid agency KSrelief.
Uemura explained that Japan was chair when the UN Security Council finally passed resolution 2728, which demands an immediate ceasefire in Gaza for the month of Ramadan, and the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages held by Hamas.
The resolution 鈥渨as one of the major achievements in the Israel-Gaza war. Of course, the resolution is there but the reality isn鈥檛. There鈥檚 very little change so far,鈥� he said.
Since the Oct. 7 Hamas attack, Japan has advocated Israel鈥檚 right to self-defense. Nonetheless, 鈥淛apan鈥檚 policy is very sincere about the two-state solution and the Palestinian cause to self-determination,鈥� Uemura added.
鈥淭here will be no peace if there are big gaps of social, economic or even political situations on both sides. Japan sees that and has worked hard on the Jericho Agro-Industrial Park.鈥�
The JAIP aims to develop a fully functional and operational innovation center in the Palestinian city of Jericho to improve the competitiveness of businesses operating there.
Uemura said his government and NGOs have also offered many opportunities for youth from both Israel and Palestine to spend two weeks in Japan to get to know each other and overcome their differences.
鈥淭he core issue, however, is the lack of confidence between the two sides. Unfortunately, for the last six-month period the confidence has disappeared,鈥� he added. 鈥淥ur task now is to demand an urgent ceasefire, which would lead to a lasting ceasefire.鈥�
However, to revive peace negotiations, Uemura said it will 鈥渢ake a very long time from now since we鈥檙e starting from zero, or even below zero, again.鈥�
The demand by the International Court of Justice for Israel to comply with international law 鈥渟hould be very sincerely abided by,鈥� he added. 鈥淭his is Japan鈥檚 stance; we make it very clear.鈥�
In January, Japan鈥檚 Foreign Minister KAMIKAWA Yoko said her country supported the ICJ ruling and said Israel must take measures to enable the provision of urgently needed basic services and humanitarian assistance in Gaza.
鈥淛apan will persistently and actively continue its diplomatic efforts toward the immediate release of the hostages, the improvement of the humanitarian situation, and calming down the situation as soon as possible,鈥� she added.
Uemura said Japan鈥檚 main focus is to end the violence and de-escalate tensions in Gaza and Israel, in order to move on to peace- and confidence-building measures.
According to Gaza鈥檚 Health Ministry, at least 32,845 Palestinians have been killed and 75,392 wounded in Israeli attacks on the enclave since Oct. 7. The death toll in Israel stands at 1,139, with some hostages still captive in Gaza.
This article appeared on Arab News Japan
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