<\/p>\n
Foreign Minister of Japan Taro Kono expressed in<\/span> <\/span>interview with Arab News<\/span><\/a> his country’s interest in playing a part as an “honest broker” between Palestine and Israel.<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n Palestinian authorities have welcomed this proposal and expressed their enthusiasm. <\/span><\/b><\/p>\n <\/p>\n According to Arab News<\/span><\/a>, secretary of the executive committee of the PLO Saeb Erakat stated that Japan has “shown a tremendous commitment” to peace and the two-state solution and that “they have invested in the development of institutions in Palestine and have kept a position against Israeli settlements”. <\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Political Affairs advisor of the Palestinian Foreign Ministry Ahmad Deek <\/span>stated<\/span><\/a> “we welcome the suggestion made by the foreign minister because we believe that any movement is helpful.”<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n The offer made by Japan follows the country’s recent decisions supporting the Palestinian struggle and its longing for peace. Japan, together with Palestine,<\/span> <\/span>co-hosted<\/span><\/a> the Conference on Cooperation among East Asian Countries for Palestinian Development (CEAPAD) that was held in Ramallah and Jericho on 3 – 4 July.<\/span><\/p>\n Palestinian News and Info Agency WAFA<\/span> <\/span>reported<\/span><\/a> that in the framework of the conference Japanese Ambassador to Palestine Takeshi Okubo stated that Japan is “committed to continuing to provide development support to Palestine” and reiterated his country’s position “standing by the Palestinian people until the establishment of their independent state in accordance with international resolutions”. <\/span><\/p>\n The offer by Japan to act as a broker between Palestine and Israel comes in a time when confidence behind the US as a legitimate mediator is at its lowest. <\/span><\/p>\n
\n<\/b><\/p>\n