Israel says Japan’s FM has pledged not to recognize Palestinian state at UN

Japan has decided not to recognize a Palestinian state at the United Nations General Assembly next week, Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya informed Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar over the phone a short while ago, according to a readout from Sa’ar’s office.

“The Japanese foreign minister informed Minister Sa’ar during the conversation that Japan has decided not to support recognition of a Palestinian state at the upcoming UN General Assembly,” the readout reads.

During the call, which follows a previous conversation between the ministers two weeks ago, Sa’ar “presented Israel’s position” on its strike against Hamas leaders in Qatar last week, and discussed the IDF’s operation in Gaza City, the military’s recent arrest of a terror cell producing rockets to attack Israeli targets, and other issues, Sa’ar’s office adds.

There is no immediate Japanese readout of the call or confirmation of the decision not to recognize a Palestinian state.

Earlier this week, the Asahi newspaper cited unnamed government sources as saying that Japan will not recognize a Palestinian state for now, likely in order to maintain relations with the United States and to avoid a hardening of Israel’s attitude.