Prime Minister Kishida’s Meeting with Former Prime Minister of Palestine Dr. Hamdallah

On September 28, commencing at 10:40 a.m. for approximately 15 minutes, Mr. KISHIDA Fumio, Prime Minister of Japan, received a courtesy call from H.E. Dr. Rami Hamdallah, former Prime Minister of Palestine, who is visiting Japan to attend the state funeral for former Prime Minister Abe. The outline is as follows.

1. At the outset, Prime Minister Kishida stated that he is pleased to meet with Dr. Hamdallah again for the first time since they last met in 2014 and welcomed his first visit to Japan. Prime Minister Kishida then expressed his gratitude for condolences expressed by the Palestinian leaders including Dr. Hamdallah for the passing of former Prime Minister Abe. In response, Dr. Hamdallah conveyed President Abbas’s and his own heartfelt condolences, and stated that former Prime Minister Abe’s two visits to Palestine were unforgettable for him.

2. The two sides had a candid exchange of views on the Middle East Peace. Prime Minister Kishida reaffirmed Japan’s support for a "two-state solution" and expressed his concern about violence and clashes in various parts of Palestine and Israel. Emphasizing the need to refrain from any unilateral measures that go against the Peace Process, including settlement activities, Prime Minister Kishida stated that Japan will continue to contribute to the realization of an environment conducive to the advancement of the Middle East Peace.

3. Prime Minister Kishida touched upon Japan’s food assistance amounting more than 8 Million USD in response to the deterioration of food security in Palestine due to the situation in Ukraine as well as Japan’s supports to Palestine especially through the “Corridor for Peace and Prosperity” initiative. Dr. Hamdallah expressed his appreciation for Japan's support for Palestine. The two sides reaffirmed their commitment to further develop Japan-Palestine relations.