NEW YORK, Sep 23 (News On Japan) - Japan decided not to recognize Palestine as a state during a high-level meeting in New York aimed at resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, even as about 10 other countries declared recognition.
The conference, held alongside the United Nations General Assembly, sought to promote a two-state solution and increase pressure on Israel.
At the meeting, five additional countries including France announced recognition of Palestinian statehood. Combined with earlier declarations by G7 members such as the United Kingdom and Canada, more than 150 countries—about 80 percent of UN members—have now formally recognized Palestine.
Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya explained that Japan’s decision was not a matter of “whether” but “when” recognition would occur. Speaking after his address, he emphasized in an interview with JNN that Japan remains aligned with the G7, where many members have recently declared recognition. “Each country may have its own judgment and approach, but the sentiment is the same. As the G7, we must unite our efforts toward resolving this issue,” Iwaya said.
In contrast, Israel and the United States boycotted the meeting. Israel’s ambassador to the UN criticized participating countries, claiming they were “supporting terrorism rather than peace.”
President Donald Trump is scheduled to address the UN General Assembly later tonight, Japan time, before meeting with Saudi Arabia and other Middle Eastern nations to discuss solutions to the Gaza conflict.
Source: TBS
