Arab News Japan

TOKYO: An editorial in Japan’s influential Yomiuri newspaper has questioned US President Donald Trump’s actions and policies in the Middle East and wondered why he has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

“Isn’t Trump’s stance of condoning Israel’s inhumane behavior against the spirit of the prize?” the editorial asks.

It says Trump’s plan to transfer Gaza residents out of the territory – termed a “brilliant vision” by Netanyahu – would force residents to relocate without regard to their wishes. This, it said, was a violation of international law and “is totally unacceptable.”

It notes that Israel has stopped the delivery of food, medicine, and other supplies to Gaza by the United Nations and other organizations, and the Israeli military has fired upon residents who went to collect relief supplies, resulting in a number of deaths and injuries.

The editorial also criticizes America’s bombing of Iran’s nuclear facilities at Israel’s request as possibly violating the U.N. Charter, which prohibits the use of force. It points out that because of the bombing, Iran has suspended cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency and IAEA inspectors have left Iran, making it even more difficult to ascertain the status of Iran’s nuclear development.

“The United States must immediately resume diplomatic negotiations over Iran’s nuclear development, which were underway with Iran before the attacks, and aim for a fundamental solution to the problem,” the editorial said.