Japan expresses concern at relocation of U.S. Embassy in Israel to Jerusalem

zichi:

Not all of the 6.5 million Palestinians are part of Hamas.

Those Palestinians living in Gaza are under Hamas’ rule so, in effect, they are Hamas’ cannon fodder like it or not. It would be a brave person - suicidal actually - who professed a willingness to work with Israel.

Another possibility. PM Abe is looking for UN votes in the Takeshima / Dokdo conflict, believing that a majority at the UN would increase his chances of getting the island back.

Hm. I wonder how much money Japan is out to lose through this move? Of course it’s more important than doing the right thing.

There was an emergency UNSC meeting to discuss the Gaza situation:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EaUPxTT8Iws

Unsurprisingly, the US blamed Iran.

@ Steven fennel

Don’t bark about issues you can’t comprehend :)

Michael JacksonMay 15  06:44 am JST

Escalate tensions in the Middle East? That area has been full of conflict for thousands of years

Is that any different from any other place on earth? Although Europe has enjoyed relative peace since the end of WWII, prior to that there were an estimated 3,708 European conflicts since the year 1400. The US has been involved in numerous wars since its inception as a nation. Do you have any idea of the true number of conflicts that have occurred in Africa or South America or Asia?

To suggest that the Middle East has been in conflict for thousands of years is simplistic and somewhat pointless as a stand-alone statement. Do the Troubles in Ireland, the conflicts in Italy in the 70s and 80s, the Hungarian Revolution, the Bosnian War, the Russian invasion of the Ukraine, the Albanian Civil War, the Chechen Wars, the Russian-Georgian War and so on and so on, all of which occurred after WWII count as Europe being full of conflict? Of course they do but we don't generally say that, do we? We say it about the Middle East as a way of separating ourselves from the people and the situation and to consciously or not suggest that nothing can be done about it.

Because one is Palestinian and protests against Israel it does not equal that they are a radical Muslim. The assumption that they are shows an ignorance of the people and the situation under which they live.

As for the violence of the Palestinians against Israelis, I am of mixed feelings. While not normally a proponent of violence, I am old enough to remember the protests in South Africa and violent acts that the ANC carried out in an effort to end apartheid and I can only say that I understood why they (black South Africans) did what they did. When you're met with an immovable force that refuses to see reason or sympathy for your plight and is quick to exact violence on you, you do what you have to protect yourself and change the situation.

the anti-semitic goons who run the UN General Assembly?

Here we go, anyone contesting the murder of Palestinian protestors, or opposing Israeli government decisions is automatically labelled anti-semitic. Have you ever heard of debate and opinion? Why is it that any disagreement with Jewish or Israeli policy is called anti-semitic?

Jerusalem is now, and always will be, the capital of Israel. Its a done deal. Get over it.

Personally speaking its not really something that I need to get over. But don't ask for sympathy for Jewish history much longer. Or is that anti-semitic..?

You mean murdered on their own side of the fence by the Israeli Army.

nope, I mean shot dead after breaking through fences and attacking outposts with meat cleavers.

Funny how a country defends attacks on its borders sometimes.

Jerusalem could be administrated by a neutral international organization.

let me guess, the anti-semitic goons who run the UN General Assembly?

Yup, that would end well.

Jerusalem is now, and always will be, the capital of Israel. Its a done deal. Get over it.

TTD - problem solved. Replace "sympathy for Jewish history" (yeah, right) with "Palestinians cutting through fences and attacking Israel posts with meat cleavers shouting "Khaybar, Khaybar"

zichi - indeed. Unfortunately the United Nations has been deflated by the likes of Bush, Blair etc over recent years and no longer carries the power it once held.

This Israeli government, led by the corrupt Netanyahu, is handing Jerusalem to the right-wing orthodox zealots. They are disrespecting centuries of history.

I am very sorry to say this, but I no longer think that we can continue to exchange sympathy for Jewish history as an excuse to shoot Palestinian protestors dead.

Indeed there are important religious sites of all faiths in Jerusalem. But no history is more prominent than that of the Jews. King David conquered the city in 1,000 BC and made it the capital of the kingdom of Israel. His son Solomon built the First Temple.

Israel has also maintained and respected Muslim holy sites in the city throughout the ages. Can you imagine the fate of a Jewish holy site in the hands of Hamas? They would suffer the same fate as the ancient Buddhist monuments in Bamiyan. Blown to smithereens.

Thank you zichi. Obviously someone who was educated in world history and religion. Jerusalem is a fascinating city - and clearly should not be a political capital.

Ivanka Trump! Shoe shop owner and daughter of Ivana Trump, representing the USA in history by opening the controversial embassy in Jerusalem! Aren't Americans so embarrassed by that?! My goodness, from a nation that brought us Lincoln, Martin Luther, and JFK!!

Another Trump campaign promise met and delivered. The historic city of Jerusalem is officially what its always been for hundreds of years; the spiritual, political and cultural center of Israel.

The history of Jerusalem according to you? Jerusalem is as much a spiritual and cultural centre for Islam, Christianity, and Catholicism. Your lack of religious knowledge is clear - have you ever visited Jerusalem? Did you somehow not notice the al-Asqa Mosque and the Church where Jesus was entombed? There should be no politics in such a historically rich city. Do you think the United Nations and the EU have just made up their opinion without knowing historical fact (as in, not recognising Jerusalem as political capital of a Jewish land grab).

Let the Hamas terrorists continue to kill themselves.

You mean murdered on their own side of the fence by the Israeli Army.

There is no border between the Gaza Strip and Israel nor between the West Bank and Israel

Yeah, there is. It is there to maintain Israeli security for obvious reasons.

The barrier was largely torn down by Palestinians at the beginning of the Al-Aqsa Intifada in September 2000, followed by many terror attacks.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Israel–Gaza_barrier

I appreciate Japan always strict to peace and stability and want all other country to be in peace this shows royal,I support japan is one of the greatest country

The Israeli government wanted the US to move the embassy to Jerusalem, and Bone Spurs gave in to them without getting any concessions in return. So much for deal making.

Another Trump campaign promise met and delivered. The historic city of Jerusalem is officially what its always been for hundreds of years; the spiritual, political and cultural center of Israel.

Let the Hamas terrorists continue to kill themselves.

Expelled US diplomats, close Israeli embassy...so easy.

Yoshihide Suga said that "Japan is concerned that the move could make peace process in the Middle East even more difficult or escalate tension in all of the Middle East." It means that Trump doesn't know that Japan wants to expose him how to extinguish fire, it's not any oil nor water, it's powder.

The aggressive & violent Palestinians

Shot dead on their own side of the fence by Army units.

breaching border(s) and throwing bombs at Israeli security forces

Its the lies that get me. I don't think any of the protestors breached the "border" (its a refugee camp fence, not a border) and throwing bombs??

Expect a sovereign nation to defend itself.

It was Palestinian land, stolen by Jewish settlers.

Meanwhile, Israel: 52. Palestinians: 0.

This sums up the Israeli attitude. You seem to celebrate those deaths, as though it was a football game. But those Palestinians families will never, ever forgive or forget those deaths. Whilst you celebrate them.

If the Palestinians would protest peacefully, then there’d be no need for Japan to be so concerned.

You got Hamas leading the charge (lovely). The aggressive & violent Palestinians setting fires, hurling stones, breaching border(s) and throwing bombs at Israeli security forces.

Expect a sovereign nation to defend itself. Meanwhile, Israel: 52. Palestinians: 0.

The world has totally lost its humanity, totally lost its empathy. We stand and watch as Israel uses live ammunition, tanks and rockets against protesters with slingshots and catapults. The Palestinians have been totally abandoned, totally forsaken by the world. The nations of the world have been totally intimidated by the US; they have given up their sovereignty to the US and are dictated by the US. And how can US citizens hold their head up and claim any morality, any decency when they support, by their lack of action, their Government allowing and advocating the slaughter of women and children seeking freedom?  And Ivanka smiles and celebrates while Palestinians are being killed.

Talk about it at the G7 meeting, how to deal with berserking most international diplomatic agreements in the name of economic readjustments for the good of the biggest boy (cowboy) on the block.

Jerusalem has always been the jewish state of Israel‘s capital city and its only right that diplomatic missions should be established there as they are in Washington D.C. and other nations throughout the civilized world.

"Suga stopped short of criticizing the US". I think the criticism is there for all to see. Another sign that Japan will be joining the Chinese sphere of influence soon. Follow the yellow belt and road!!!!

Japan has different position toward Middle East from US due to oil demand. Though Japan has no oil domestically, US has affluent shale oil and gas without relying on Middle East. So, Japan may face difficulties in procuring oil form Arab region conflicting with Israel, which US has been in favor of, if Japan will make them upset by its remark.

Embassy location is not the problem. Religion (aka religious bickering) is the root of 99.99% of the problems in the middle east.

As long as people continue to believe in different religions, the middle east will never see peace.

I agree with Trump's decision. For decades now radical Muslim's have been bombing, beheading and torturing their way around the world. And all the time the West has barely taken anything from them.... we've been giving and taking in their refugees for decades now. Its time they understand that we're prepared to play tough too.

what do you mean by ( we ) ?

As long as extremism is alive and well I don't see how the people of Israel can let down their guard and succumb to living with Palestinians on a day-to-day basis.

This mentality of extremism which encourages not only young adults but also parents who find honor in seeing their children sacrifice their own lives and cause death to other humans in the name of ' whatever cause they come up, THEIR God's words or land or whatever..' is what keeps these people 'prisoners' of their own fate and not willing to participate in contributing to the betterment of the world be it in science, technology, the arts or what have you.

I feel these people need more education and the will to move towards accepting the realities of the present. Living in their parents' past will only ensure continued poverty and a high probability that the future generations will remain in this sad state of affairs.

@bungle. Are you serious that you blame the parents？gaza is a concentration camp without ovens, just bombings, missiles, drone attacks, stavation, destruction of infrastucture, no access to the free world, tear gas, snipers, torture of children, no return to their homes or land, denial of medical supplies, intimidatation...

I would be proud of my child if they stood up to the zionist haoulcaust.

My boy is only 3yr but for the IDF he is a fair target, and if you watch the news videos, not fake, you can see israeli laughing and dancing when they shoot kids.

Maybe you watch too much fox snd cnn？

This was a matter of time. All 4 presidents before Trump proposed this as well

by promoting trust and dialogue between the two parties through various projects.

Which means, we can make some money here guys.

Express a concern but this is a glorious event for Jerusalem & the US & Israeli alliance.

Agree with the other anti-Japan posters here, how dare Japan criticize the great Donald Trump?

BungleToday  09:52 am JST

Speaking of apartheid, try being a Jew in a Muslim majority country. See how this works? Israel is the only, and will remain the only, secular democracy in the Middle East.

While I imagine it is not pleasant, I cannot remember the name of a Muslim majority country where a Jew would have to face the armed forces everyday...

Bit late now to express concern!

What the heck is Ivanka doing there? What a farce.

I agree with Ossan America 100%. If PM Abe can convene the Peace Summit, both parties can shake hand and sign off on the “2 State Solution” (under the watch of PM Abe) would there be anyone more deserving of the Nobel Peace Prize?

Many commentator say Trump and Kim-san will jointly get the peace Prize this year,but PM Abe would be deserving if he arranges the 2-State-Solution.

If Japan is so concerned they could always open their doors to Pakistinian refugees.

I suggest you buy a map and a dictionary.

It seems Japan would keep staying away from such trouble middle east, because there is nothing Japan can do for them.

If Japan is so concerned they could always open their doors to Pakistinian refugees. Then they will have a true sense of how conflict in the ME will NEVER be resolved EVER. The world needs to let the ME sort out it’s own problems in their own way...which basically means eternal conflict!

I agree with Trump's decision. For decades now radical Muslim's have been bombing, beheading and torturing their way around the world. And all the time the West has barely taken anything from them.... we've been giving and taking in their refugees for decades now. Its time they understand that we're prepared to play tough too.

Well, other than Japanese people, nobody cares what Japan thinks on the world stage.

Actually the above poster is correct, Japan does in fact have a good relationship with both Israel and the Arab world. And there's no bad aftertaste because Japan wasn't part of establishing Israel, and it was never a colonial power in the middle east. Whether Japan would have any interest in getting involved in such a hot area is another matter. Bit those putting down the idea are simply biased and uneducated.

Hypocritical lip service. Why wait till now? Cowards. Best to stay hidden beneath the american skirt.

Stay out of it Japan. Your precense in global politics doesn't carry much weight or influence.

Could?" Already has it seems. This was neither the time nor place to make this move. Trump seems to be working overtime to piss off the entire planet!

Well said.

japan mind your own business

Agree.

japan mind your own business

Japan has great relation, is completely Neutral, and is respected by Palestine and Israel. A good solution would be for PM Abe to host Summit very soon in Japan to broker the Peace between warring sides. Furthermore, big Japanese government infra spending on airport , hospital and fast trains in Palestine State would help situation.If anyone can bring peace, neutral Japan can.

"Could?" Already has it seems. This was neither the time nor place to make this move. Trump seems to be working overtime to piss off the entire planet!

Escalate tensions in the Middle East? That area has been full of conflict for thousands of years