Japan-Israel Summit Meeting (Summary)

On December 1, commencing at 8:27 a.m. local time (1:27 p.m. on the same day Japan time) for approximately 30 minutes, Mr. KISHIDA Fumio, Prime Minister of Japan, who is visiting Dubai, United Arab Emirates, to participate in COP28 “United Nations World Climate Action Summit”, held a Japan-Israel Summit Meeting with H.E. Mr. Isaac HERZOG, President of the State of Israel. The summary of the meeting is as follows.

1. At the outset, Prime Minister Kishida referred to the terror incident that occurred the previous day in Jerusalem, and reiterated his firm condemnation of the terror attacks by Hamas and others, and expressed his condolences to the bereaved families of the victims of the terror attacks and his heartfelt sympathies to those injured.

2. Prime Minister Kishida welcomed the agreement with Hamas, which included the release of hostages and increased delivery of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip, as an important step toward the improvement of the situation, while also stating that it is important to keep making such positive efforts to calm down the situation as soon as possible. Prime Minister Kishida also stated that it is extremely important to continue to deliver humanitarian supplies and increased amount of such aid to improve the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip, and asked for Israel’s cooperation. On that basis, Prime Minister Kishida stated Japan’s position, including the importance of acting in according with international law, including international humanitarian law, and the adopted Security Council resolutions, and that Japan supports a 'two-state solution' and deems it important that Israel and Palestine coexist peacefully.

3. President Hertzog expressed his appreciation to Japan’s clear condemnation of terrorism, and explained Israel’s position including Israel’s military actions in the Gaza Strip.

4. Both sides agreed to continue close communication and co-operation on the situation in the Middle East, including the Gaza Strip.