Unambitious G7 Foreign Ministers’ Statement
The Group of Seven foreign ministers issued on Wednesday a joint statement that called for humanitarian pauses in the war between Israel and Hamas. While Japan’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Yoko Kamikawa, the chairwoman of the meeting, emphasized the significance of reaching an agreement, the statement was substantially following the standpoint of United States, which close relationship with Israel was facing international criticisms. The outcome of Tokyo meeting reflected the limit of G7 and Japan.
The statement condemned the terror attacks by Hamas and emphasized Israel’s right to defend itself. On that basis, the ministers stressed the need to address the deteriorating humanitarian crisis in Gaza, without referring to whose attacks caused the crisis in Gaza, and supported “humanitarian pauses and corridors to facilitate urgently needed assistance, civilian movement, and the release of hostages.”
On this issue, the stance of each member countries has been different each other. United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution on the hostilities between Israel and Hamas which called for “an immediate, durable and sustained humanitarian truce leading to a cessation of hostilities.” Among the G7 members, France voted in favor. United States voted opposed. Other five countries abstained.
“Humanitarian pause” was what US President Joe Biden proposed to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the telephone talk two days before the G7 foreign ministers’ statement was released. It was expectable for Japan as the chair country to settle the discussion on the line US had drawn. The statement underscored that a two-state solution remained “the only path to a just, lasting, and secure peace,” which would be making no news.
Since Hamas attacked Israel early October, Japan has been appealing its position having channels with both Israel and Palestine, as if it could be working as a balancer between the two parties. Kamikawa made a visit to Israel and Palestine last week and had meetings with both foreign ministers. She raised to Israel that humanitarian pause is needed, and offered urgent humanitarian relief to Palestine. But, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken also visited Israel and Palestine a few days later, making Kamikawa’s visit nothing unique.
In the press conference after G7 foreign ministers’ meeting, Kamikawa said that having issued an integrated message, G7 played a responsible role in international community and Japan could work out as the chair of G7. In fact, Israel has shown no sign to accept the offer of humanitarian pause or ceasefire and the civilian victims in Gaza Strip keep on accumulating. Regardless alleged leadership of Japan, G7 shows its limit of power to stop the war.
Update: Israel agreed to daily four-hour pauses in operations in Gaza, White House said Thursday. It is expected to allow more civilians to leave the northern part of Gaza Strip and to increase humanitarian aid from Egypt.
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