Ramallah – Prime Minister’s Office - Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, Dr. Mohammad Mustafa, discussed with Japan's Foreign Minister, Takeshi Iwaya, in a phone call, the latest developments in the Palestinian territories amid the ongoing Israeli genocidal war against the Palestinian people in Gaza for more than a year, as well as the forced displacement and starvation in northern Gaza. They also addressed the ongoing attacks by the Israeli occupation army and settlers in the West Bank, including Jerusalem.

During the call, Mustafa and Iwaya discussed Palestinian ongoing efforts through the UN Security Council, the UN General Assembly, the G7, and world countries to halt the genocide against the Palestinian people. They also explored mechanisms to implement the UN General Assembly resolution, which is based on the advisory opinion issued by the International Court of Justice, aimed at ending the occupation and realizing the establishment of the Palestinian state. Furthermore, they also touched on efforts to achieve Palestine’s full membership in the United Nations.

The Prime Minister praised Japan's positive position and votes in favor of Palestine in various international fora, particularly Japan's recent vote at the UN, demanding Israel to end its occupation of Palestinian territories. He also lauded Japan’s support for Palestine's endeavors to gain full UN membership and its submission to the International Court of Justice, seeking a ruling on the impact of Israel’s occupation, consequences, and practices in the occupied Palestinian territories, including sanctions on Israeli settlers.

Mustafa further expressed appreciation for Japan's ongoing support through development projects, capacity-building programs for Palestinian institutions through CEPAD, and financial support for UNRWA, as well as its vote in favor of UNRWA’s mandate.

The Prime Minister also emphasized the importance of enhancing mutual cooperation between the two countries in all areas, continuing political consultations, and establishing a joint committee between the two nations. He also called on Japan to recognize the State of Palestine, driven by its belief in the Palestinian people's right to self-determination and the establishment of an independent state, to save the two-state solution and achieve peace and stability in the region.

For his part, the Japanese Foreign Minister affirmed Japan's support for efforts to achieve ceasefire, its firm stance against Israeli settlement, illegal under the international law and legitimacy, and its commitment to assisting in reconstruction efforts once the Israeli aggression ceases. He also pledged Japan’s support for the Palestinian Government's institutional reform program.