November 17, 2023

Japanese Communist Party lawmaker Kokuta Keiji, as a member of the Lower House Committee on Foreign Affairs, attended a meeting the committee held with Israeli Ambassador to Japan Gilad Cohen on November 16. Kokuta in the meeting demanded an immediate ceasefire between Israeli forces and Hamas militants.

Kokuta, while condemning Hamas’ attacks, pointed out that people in Gaza under Israeli attacks are now facing the grave risk of genocide. He said, “Atrocities committed on the grounds of the right to self-defense can never be accepted and should be severely criticized.” He demanded that Israel not only accept a “humanitarian truce” as called for in the UN resolution adopted with 121 member states voting in favor but also move toward a “ceasefire”.

Kokuta explained that in order to build peace in the Middle East, the JCP has consistently called for global efforts based on the three principles as confirmed in relevant UN resolutions: Israel's withdrawal from the occupied Palestinian territories, realization of the right to self-determination which includes the Palestinians' right to establish an independent state, and creation of a mutual recognition to respect the right to coexistence.

The Israeli ambassador reiterated the government stance that Israeli actions are a fight against terrorist group Hamas.