Japan Press Weekly

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2024 April 10 - 16 TOP3 [WORLD]

Koike: Iran/Israel should refrain from military responses which may intensify tensions

Iran before dawn on April 14 launched a swarm of explosive drones and missiles at Israel. After Iran’s consulate in Syria was bombed on April 1, Iran accused Israel of conducting the bombing and expressed its intent to take retaliatory action.

It is reported that Israel’s war cabinet is discussing ways to retaliate against Iran’s retaliation.

Japanese Communist Party Secretariat Head Koike Akira on April 15 at a press conference in the Diet building said, “Countries concerned should strongly refrain from taking military countermeasures which will intensify tensions.”

Pointing out that the April 1 airstrike on the Iranian Embassy in Syria was believed to be the work of Israel, Koike said, “Israel’s act constitutes a grave violation of international law and should be severely condemned.” Regarding the Iran’s retaliatory attack on Israel, Koike said, “Of particular concern is the possibility of seeing a chain of retaliations. Countries involved must exercise restraint involving military responses. It will be totally unacceptable for Israel to engage in a retaliatory attack against Iran.”

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres at an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council on April 14 condemned Iran’s attack on Israel by saying that the UN Charter “prohibits the use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state.” Stating that the “principle of inviolability of diplomatic and consular premises and personnel must be respected in all cases in accordance with international law,” the UN chief also condemned Israeli’s attack on the Iranian consulate in Syria. He said, “It’s time to step back from the brink,” and called on all parties to show “maximum restraint”.