Tuesday, August 4, 2009

The Prime Minister Receives a Courtesy Call from Youths from Israel and Palestine

Prime Minister Taro Aso received a courtesy call from participants in an exchange project for youths from Israel and Palestine, and other people involved in the project at the Prime Minister's Office.

A group of ten youths from Israel and Palestine, who paid the courtesy call on Prime Minister Aso, are those who are visiting Japan to participate in the Middle East Peace Project in Kanazawa, which is being held in Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture. With the purpose of realizing peace in the Middle East, and the permanent peace of the world and humanity by inviting orphans of conflict between Israel and Palestine to Japan and helping them reaffirm the importance of peace through enhanced mutual understanding, each of the National Federation of World Federalist Movement Member Cities, comprised of 83 local governments in Japan, hosts this exchange project in turn. This was the fifth such occasion, with more than 40 youths from Israel and Palestine visiting Japan to participate in the project thus far. Those who accompanied the youths include Mr. Tamotsu Yamade, Mayor of Kanazawa City and Chair of the Organizing Committee for the Middle East Peace Project in Kanazawa, and Mr. Yasuo Shikata, Chair of the National Federation of World Federalist Movement Member Cities and Mayor of Ayabe City, which hosted the project the first time.

In the opening address, Prime Minister Aso said, "I introduced this exchange project to the world as a type of 'diplomacy that Japan is uniquely able to undertake' when I delivered an address to the General Assembly of the United Nations last September. As such, I have a strong attachment to the project -- personally as well. The political situations of Israel and Palestine remain severe, yet it is of utmost importance for both parties to start taking steps, wherever possible, for co-existence and mutual prosperity. I understand that you, in pairs, spent time with Japanese families. I hope that such an occasion would become an opportunity for trust building. It is my sincere wish that you will be the ones who carry on the future of Israel and Palestine."