TOKYO: The ambassador of the State of Palestine in Tokyo, Waleed Siam, has urged the Japanese government to recognize Palestine as a state, saying support from Japan “is crucial to our cause.”
In an interview with Arab News Japan on Saturday, Siam said Japan’s potential recognition of Palestine was a brave decision that would resonate with the Palestinian people.
“It reflects a commitment to justice and offers a hopeful message for peace and respect for international law,” he said. “The Palestinian community will appreciate this stance from Japan and looks forward to strengthening ties and cooperation between their nations for generations to come.”
France and Saudi Arabia will co-chair a conference in New York on Sept. 22 promote a two-state solution.
The planned recognition of the Palestinian state by countries such as France and Britain aims to put pressure on Israel to lift its siege of the Gaza Strip.
Currently, the Japanese government, led by outgoing Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, is in the final stages of discussions about recognizing the state of Palestine. Ishiba announced his decision to resign last Sunday.
In contrast, the US “has urged Japan not to recognize Palestine as a state at the UN General Assembly later this month,” diplomatic sources said Friday.
According to Kyodo News: “The United States has communicated to Japan its opposition to recognizing a Palestinian state through various diplomatic channels, arguing that such recognition would exacerbate the situation and urging Tokyo to align with Washington.”
The report added a source from the US government had warned Tokyo recognizing a Palestinian state would significantly affect US-Japan relations.
Meanwhile, during a phone call on Thursday, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot urged his Japanese counterpart Takeshi Iwaya to recognize the state, according to a Japanese government source. Sources also indicate Britain has expressed similar sentiments.
Asked to comment on the reports, Siam said the reported US pressure was unjustified and contrasted sharply with growing international recognition of an independent State of Palestine, with East Jerusalem as its capital, and the Palestinian people's right to self-determination.
He emphasized this recognition was not just a matter of opinion; it was firmly grounded in resolutions of international legitimacy and law.
“We appreciate the courageous stance of nations that intend to recognize the State of Palestine, especially the efforts of France and Saudi Arabia,” he said.
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