Arab News Japan

TOKYO: Japan must follow its own path in helping Palestine become a state, according to an editorial in the influential Asahi newspaper.

“There is no need to be overly considerate of our ally, the United States,” the editorial says. “We need to communicate with France, the UK and Canada and come up with concrete measures to lift the Palestinian people out of the depths of despair. We must not close the door to hope for the future.”

Japan says it supports the two-state solution and a bipartisan group of members of parliament has submitted a petition to the government calling for recognition.

The Asahi noted the decision by France, the United Kingdom and Canada to consider recognizing the state of Palestine at the UN General Assembly next month and pointed out that more than three-quarters of the 193 UN member states recognize Palestine as a state.

“It is clear that the consensus of the international community is that a two-state solution is the only way to put an end to the nearly 80-year conflict,” the Asahi said. “Nearly two years of Israeli military operations in Gaza have left more than 60,000 people dead and trampled on people’s freedom and dignity, making the need for a state that can protect lives all the more urgent.”

The editorial says the government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has destroyed Gaza and continues to establish Jewish settlements in the West Bank, undermining the foundations of a two-state solution.

However, Asahi warns that “words alone are not enough” and other actions, such as disarming Hamas and holding democratic elections must take place. It also points out that several countries in the region do not recognize Israel as a state.