Arab News Japan

TOKYO: The Council of Arab Ambassadors in Japan met in Tokyo on Friday and issued a statement “in response to the Israeli brutal invasion of the Gaza Strip.”

Palestinian Ambassador Waleed Siam read the statement in the meeting, which was held at the Palestinian Embassy. 

“In the wake of the brutal aggression on Gaza, the Council of Arab Ambassadors calls on Japan and the international community to act for an immediate ceasefire by Israel.”

Siam pointed out that over 2 million Palestinians are facing daily struggles just to survive. The death toll, he noted, had exceeded 9,000 Palestinians, which included more than 3,800 children and 2,400 women. Among the dead were 36 journalists and 70 staff members of international organizations.

“The brutal killings of innocent Palestinians civilians cannot and should never be justified as self-defence,” Siam said. “There can be no justification for Israel’s indiscriminate attacks against Palestinian civilians in Gaza.”

“Japan, with its unique position in the international community, especially in light of its presidency of the G7 and its non-permanent seat at the United Nations Security Council during 2023, is called upon to use its leverage in urgently calling for ceasefire in Gaza, to facilitating delivery of humanitarian aid and assistance, and to stopping the forced displacement population transfer of Palestinians in Gaza.”

The Council demanded that Israel complies with international law and international human rights conventions and urged the international community to enable humanitarian access for essential supplies and services to reach all civilians in need in the Gaza Strip.

It called for unhindered humanitarian access for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) for Palestine Refugees in the Near East and other United Nations humanitarian agencies and partners.

“The Council urgently calls for the rescinding of the order by Israel, the occupying power, for Palestinian civilians and United Nations staff, as well as humanitarian and medical workers, to evacuate all areas in the Gaza Strip north of the Wadi Gaza and relocate to southern Gaza.”

“Civilians are protected under international humanitarian law and should receive humanitarian assistance wherever they are. We reiterate the need to take appropriate steps to ensure the safety and well-being of civilians, especially children, and their protection, as well as allowing their safe movement.”

The Council demanded protection of all civilian and humanitarian facilities, including hospitals and other medical facilities, as well as their means of transport and equipment, andthe safeguarding of all humanitarian and medical personnel, media professionals and associated personnel.

“The Council reaffirms that a just and lasting solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict can only be achieved by peaceful means, based on the relevant United Nations resolutions and in accordance with international law, and on the basis of the two-state solution.”

“The Council of Arab Ambassadors in Japan calls on the international community to heed this urgent plea for the immediate alleviation of the suffering of the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip and to take all necessary actions to end the current crisis and work towards a sustainable peace in the region.”

In reply to questions from the media, Siam said Palestinians will not leave Gaza because they have the right to stay in their homeland. The ambassador denounced Israel’s forceful displacement, and the Palestinians transfer from Gaza.