Japan’s PM says Palestine recognition is ‘when, not if’ at UNGA

Japan’s Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba has declared that his country’s recognition of the State of Palestine is not a question of “if” but “when.” Speaking at the United Nations, Ishiba strongly criticized Israel’s recent actions and statements that, he said, reject the idea of Palestinian statehood.

Nearly 80 percent of UN member states now recognize Palestine, with Britain, Canada, and France recently adding their names to the list after nearly two years of conflict in Gaza.

Ishiba expressed indignation over remarks by senior Israeli officials, stressing that continued unilateral actions by Israel “can never be accepted.” He warned that Japan may consider new measures if further obstacles are created against a two-state solution.

The Japanese leader noted the devastating toll of the Gaza conflict, which began after Hamas’s October 2023 attack on Israel. Since then, tens of thousands of Palestinians have been killed in Israeli military operations, according to UN-verified figures.

While Japan is a close US ally and a member of the G7, Ishiba emphasized that peace requires both sides to move toward coexistence. He urged Palestine to build accountable governance structures and affirmed that its sustainable statehood alongside Israel is essential for lasting peace.