January 20, 2025

Akahata editorial (excerpts)

The Japanese Communist Party wholeheartedly welcomes the ceasefire agreement reached between Israel and Hamas after 15 months of indiscriminate killings of Palestinian civilians, and the destruction and humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

While there is no room for optimism, the 3-phase agreement must be steadily implemented and the release of all hostages must be promoted. To this end, it is necessary for the international community to further increase public demands to: “Stop genocide in Gaza! Comply with the UN Charter!” in order to ensure a permanent ceasefire in Gaza.

What is urgently needed is emergency assistance to save lives. Israel has passed a law suspending UNRWA’s activities in the country. In response, the UN General Assembly has adopted a resolution calling for the continuation of the UNRWA activities. Israel should cancel the enforcement of the law and should immediately stop obstructing humanitarian aid activities in Gaza.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres issued a statement welcoming the Israel-Hamas ceasefire agreement, stressing that Qatar’s “unwavering commitment to finding a diplomatic solution has been critical in achieving this breakthrough.” He, in the statement, called for an end to Israel’s occupation of Palestine and for negotiation between Israelis and Palestinians to finally achieve a two-state solution.

U.S. President-elect Donald Trump is taking credit for the ceasefire deal, but the question is whether he is willing to urge Israel to promise a permanent ceasefire and move toward a fair and equitable resolution to Middle East problems in accordance with the ICJ and UNGA resolutions. Trump in his first term declared Jerusalem as the capital of Israel in violation of not only international law but also successive U.S. administration policy. He intends to continue to provide enormous military assistance to Israel.

Japan should seriously demand that the United States and Israel go in the direction of putting an end to Israel’s indiscriminate attacks and its occupation of Palestinian territories.