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2023 October 25 - 31 TOP3 [POLITICS]

JCP Miyamoto criticizes Japan’s abstention from UNGA resolution calling for humanitarian truce in Gaza

Japanese Communist Party member of the House of Representatives Miyamoto Toru on October 30 at a House Budget Committee meeting criticized the Japanese government for abstaining from voting on a UN resolution demanding a humanitarian pause in the ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict.

Miyamoto noted that the resolution, which was adopted on October 27 at the UN General Assembly, calls for an “immediate, durable and sustained humanitarian truce” between Israeli forces and Hamas militants in Gaza. He pointed out that the most important thing that the international community can do right now is to make unified efforts to put a stop to genocidal onslaught of the Gaza Strip, and said, “Nevertheless, Japan abstained from voting. Why?”

Prime Minister Kishida Fumio in response said, “The resolution lacks balance” by citing a lack of condemnation of terror attacks by Hamas.

Miyamoto stressed that the latest UN resolution denounces all violent actions, including terrorism and indiscriminate attacks targeting Israeli and Palestinian civilians, and urges the release of all Israeli hostages. He pointed out that among NATO members, some countries, such as France, Spain, Norway, and Belgium, supported the resolution, and added that the Japanese government was unable to vote on the resolution because it is always sensitive to the U.S. mood.

Miyamoto said, “Japan has established unique relations with both Israel and Palestine. Making the best use of this position, Japan should work hard to end the violence to save lives.”