Arab News Japan

TOKYO: Japanese Foreign Minister IWAYA Takeshi told his Israeli counterpart Gideon Sa’ar in a telephone conversation on Friday that Japan had “grave concerns” over laws adopted by the Israeli Parliament that will severely restrict the activities of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), Japan’s Foreign Ministry reported.

Iwaya called for a “conducive environment” for humanitarian assistance activities and the need to abide by international law, including international humanitarian law, such as protecting civilians.

During the exchange of views over the situation in the Middle East, Iwaya noted that more than a year had passed since the terror attacks by Hamas and stressed the need to realize an early ceasefire in the conflict so that all hostages could be returned and the humanitarian situation could be improved. 

Regarding the situation in Syria, Iwaya stated Japan’s position that the future of Syria should be determined by the Syrian people themselves. He added that Japan is calling on all parties to immediately cease violence and to abide by international law. 

Iwaya said Japan welcomes the ceasefire agreement in Lebanon and added the hope that there would not be any further escalation of tensions in the Middle East region. He called on Israel to exercise maximum restraint and fully implement all agreements.

In response, Foreign Minister Sa’ar explained Israel’s position on these matters and the two sides agreed to talk further.