-A Lecture by the Ambassador of Israel to Japan, | Events-Events

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Representative of the Permanent General Mission of Palestine, The Honorable Mr. Waleed Siam (left) and the Ambassador of Israel to Japan, H.E. Mr. Nissim Ben Shitrit (right)

On January 22nd and 23rd, H.E. Mr. Nissim Ben Shitrit, Ambassador of Israel to Japan, and The Honorable Mr. Waleed Siam, Representative of the Permanent General Mission of Palestine, lectured on consecutive days to audiences in The Nippon Foundation Building, in Akasaka, Tokyo, on the topic of the Palestine problem, an issue very much in the public eye following the recent attack of the Gaza Strip by Israeli forces. The theme of the emergency lectures, hosted by the Sasakawa Peace Foundation, was "How Can We Overcome the Palestinian Impasse?" Despite both sides having announced an armistice on January 18th, concern about the issue remains at fever pitch, prompting baggage checks and other forms of heightened security during H.E. Ben Shitrit’s lecture on the opening day.

Baggage checks were among the strict security precautions conducted on the day

Speaking in reference to the attack of the Gaza Strip, H.E. Ben Shitrit said, “Over the past eight years, Israel has been on the receiving end of 8000 rocket attacks from Hamas (an Islamic extremist group). The aim of the attack of the Gaza Strip was not to take land, but to protect the citizens of Israel from attack and to send an unequivocal message to Hamas." His Excellency continued, pointing out that, “Hamas is the Long arm of Iran. They take in rockets, mortars and even missiles from Iran." Speaking on Iran’s nuclear development, he said, “It is a menace both to the Middle East and the rest of the world. This problem must be addressed by international society as a whole, and Israel has no intention of tackling it alone."

A large media-centred audience was present

Expounding on the recent attack of Gaza, His Excellency said, “There were no other options left...terrorists who choose violence over peace must be made to take responsibility". Yet, at the same time, His Excellency stated, “The attack could not be called a success from the point of view that there were so many victims." Speaking on future prospects, he stated firmly that, “Palestine is divided into the moderates and the extremists; we will negotiate only with the moderates...I pray for a moderate Palestinian state."

The Honorable Mr. Siam responded to these statements in his lecture the following day, stating in specific reference to the rocket attacks targeted at Israel by Hamas, “Hamas had no choice but to put up resistance in light of Israel’s breaking of the 2007 ceasefire deal that allowed migration of people and goods between the Gaza Strip and West Bank and Egypt, an action that effectively barricaded the Gaza Strip." Touching on the massive destruction caused by Israel’s attack, The Honorable Mr. Siam said, “Israel’s behavior can in no way be justified."

He went on to criticize Israel further, stating, "Despite the fact that Palestinians accepted a compromise to live on just 22% of their historical lands, Israel does not observe even that right...Israel does not seek peace in the true sense of the word." In reference to Japan, after first extending thanks for Japan's economic assistance, The Honorable Mr. Siam spoke on the realities of life in Palestine, where citizens are drawn to suicide bombings as a result of having no hope for the future after losing not only families and homes but even foods, works and bank accounts. He appealed to the audience, stating, “Japan and the other members of free society must impress upon Palestine that there is yet hope."

(Tadashi Miyazaki, the Nippon Foundation)

*This article was reproduced from The Nippon Foundation Blog Magazine with the permission of the Nippon Foundation.

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