RAMALLAH, October 24, 2024 (WAFA) – Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Mohammad Mustafa discussed on Thursday, in a phone call with Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya, the latest developments in the Palestinian territories, in light of the ongoing war of extermination against Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip for more than a year, and the starvation and forced displacement in the northern Gaza Strip, in addition to the continued attacks by the Israeli occupation army and colonists in the West Bank, including Jerusalem.

Mustafa also discussed with Iwaya the Palestinian moves and efforts through the UN Security Council, the UN General Assembly, the Group of Seven and the countries of the world to stop the war of extermination against Palestinian people, and the mechanisms for implementing the UN General Assembly resolution based on the advisory opinion issued by the International Court of Justice, in order to end the occupation, and embody the establishment of the Palestinian state, in addition to obtaining full membership in the United Nations.

The Prime Minister appreciated Japan's position and positive vote in favor of Palestine in various international forums, especially the recent vote in the United Nations calling on Israel to end its occupation of the Palestinian territories, and supporting Palestinian efforts to obtain full membership in the United Nations, and its pleading before the International Court of Justice to issue a ruling on the effects of the occupation and its practices in the occupied Palestinian territories, and to impose sanctions on a number of settlers.

Mustafa also appreciated Japan's continued support for Palestine through development projects, Palestinian institutional capacity building programs through "CEPAD", and the continued financial support for UNRWA and voting in favor of its mandate.

He stressed the importance of strengthening joint cooperation between the two countries in all fields, continuing political consultations, and establishing a joint committee between the two countries, calling on Japan to recognize the State of Palestine based on its belief in the Palestinian people's right to self-determination and the embodiment of an independent state, saving the two-state solution and achieving peace and stability in the region as a whole.

For his part, the Japanese Minister affirmed his country's support for the ceasefire efforts, the firm position on illegal colonization according to international law and legitimacy, and providing assistance to the Palestinian government in reconstruction efforts immediately after the aggression stops, in addition to supporting the government's efforts in the institutional reform program.

K.T