やさしいにほんご 

日本語版

This map shows the countries that have officially recognized Palestine as a state as of April 2025. Spain, Ireland, and Norway recognized Palestinian statehood in May 2024, and Mexico joined in February 2025.

Of the 193 U.N. member states, 147 of them, which is more than 76% of the total, have officially recognized Palestine as a state. Is this not a reflection of the majority of people understanding that the establishment of a Palestinian state--where international law, including human rights and humanitarian law will be applied--can ensure Palestinians the right to self-determination and could be a path towards a liberated life?

Among the G7 nations, French President Macron announced on April 10th, 2025,  intentions for France to recognize the state of Palestine in June of this year. 

Additionally, on April 28th, the U.K. has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Palestinian Authority emphasizing “the importance of recognition.”

On May 19th, the U.K., France, and Canada, released a joint statement in which, they stated, “We are committed to recognising a Palestinian state as a contribution to achieving a two-state solution and are prepared to work with others to this end.” (ref.1)

Now is the time for the Japanese government to join the rest of the world in supporting the freedom of the Palestinian people and recognize Palestinian statehood to respect their right to self-determination. 

Please help by signing and sharing this petition to build toward a future where the Palestinian people’s rights are respected and they can live freely!

Link to the petition: https://www.change.org/Palestine_State_Recognition

-----

There is No Reason for Japan to Reject Recognizing Palestinian Statehood.

In June 2024, the Japanese government, through the former Foreign Minister Kamikawa, officially stated in support of “a two-state solution where Israel and a future independent Palestinian state can co-exist peacefully and safely” and that they, “understand the Palestinian people’s hope for the establishment of an independent state and have continued to support Palestine’s efforts toward this goal.”(ref.2)

In November 2012, Japan voted in support of a UN General Assembly resolution for Palestine to gain observer status at the United Nations. (The vote was 138 in support, 9 opposed, and 41 abstentions.)(ref.3)

Japan also voted in favor of a Security Council resolution on giving full UN membership to Palestine in April 2024 (12 voted in favor, 2 abstained, but the resolution was rejected after a U.S. veto)(ref.4). They also voted in favor of an adopted General Assembly resolution the following May (143 in favor, 9 against, 25 abstentions) requesting the Security Council to reconsider its decision for the full membership of Palestine. (ref.5)

The current humanitarian crisis is a result of the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination and their opportunity to live freely being taken away. For a resolution to the problem, a Palestinian state must be established, subject to international law, including human rights and humanitarian law, ensuring Palestinians the right to decide for themselves and the means to live freely. For this to happen, international solidarity, including from Japan, is necessary.

There is no reason for Japan, whose government has continued to support the right to self-determination for the Palestinian people, to avoid recognizing the Palestinian state. We demand that the Japanese government immediately recognize Palestine as an independent state.

Toward the End of the Occupation and the Protection of the Rights of the Palestinian People

Many Palestinian people became refugees in 1948 when they were forcibly displaced during the founding of Israel and the First Middle East War (the Nakba). Though their right of return is recognized by the United Nations, Israel has thwarted this right. The people who remained in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank have been placed under Israeli occupation since 1967, and those who remained in Israel live as minorities in a Jewish-centric society. 

Since the attacks by Israel on the Gaza Strip that started in October 2023, more than 52,000 civilians have been killed. (ref.6)Many of them are children and women. Many more lives are in imminent danger as Israel has stopped all deliveries of essentials such as food, water, medical supplies, and fuel to the region. Furthermore, attacks by the Israeli army and settlers in the West Bank have also rapidly increased, resulting in more than 40,000 Palestinian people displaced from their homes.(ref.7)

In July 2024, the International Court of Justice issued an advisory opinion that the Israeli occupation in the Gaza Strip, West Bank, and East Jerusalem violates the Palestinian people’s rights to self-determination and is illegal under international law.(ref.8) In September 2024, an emergency special session of the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution (124 in favor, 14 against, 43 abstentions) calling for an end to the occupation within one year, and Japan voted in favor of this.(ref.9)

We implore the Japanese government to officially recognize the Palestinian state to resolutely say no to the continuation or expansion of the occupation and work towards a future where all Palestinian people’s rights are protected.

The Significance of Japan to Recognize Palestine as a State

Japan's recognition of a Palestinian state will help Japan get out of the contradiction of recognizing only Israel as a state while calling on a solution through “two states”. It will also lead to increased diplomatic pressure on Israel to stop the current violence and comply with international law. This can be one step toward a just, lasting, and comprehensive peace.

Considering that international law is state-driven, this state recognition will send a strong message to the world that Japan takes seriously the importance of complying with international law and respects the protection of fundamental human rights. This message carries significance in rejecting oppression through force and working towards a stabilization of peace in a world that is on the brink of chaos. If Japan can recognize Palestine as a state ahead of the other G7 countries, it could facilitate diplomacy not only with Arab countries but also with other countries that recognize Palestine as a state.

Your voice is powerful. Please sign the petition.
Link to petition: https://www.change.org/Palestine_State_Recognition

====
This action is called on by the Committee for the Recognition of the State of Palestine. Contact info: palestine.recognition.jp@gmail.com 

=====
Reference Links:
（*1）UK.GOV. 2025年5月19日：「Joint statement from the leaders of the United Kingdom, France and Canada on the situation in Gaza and the West Bank」https://www.gov.uk/government/news/joint-statement-from-the-leaders-of-the-united-kingdom-france-and-canada-on-the-situation-in-gaza-and-the-west-bank
（*2）外務省：「上川外務大臣会見記録」（令和6年6月11日（火曜日）14時07分　於：本省会見室
https://www.mofa.go.jp/mofaj/press/kaiken/kaikenw_000001_00058.html
（*3）外務省：「国連におけるパレスチナの地位に関する総会決議の採択と我が国の対応」
https://www.eg.emb-japan.go.jp/j/birateral/japan_arab/2012/20121130.htm
（*4） 読売新聞, 2024年4月19日：「パレスチナ国連加盟、史上初の決議案が否決…安保理１２か国賛成・米国が拒否権行使」
https://www.yomiuri.co.jp/world/20240419-OYT1T50052/
（*5） BBC, 2024年5月11日：「国連総会、パレスチナの国連加盟を支持する決議案を採択　安保理に加盟の再検討求める」
https://www.bbc.com/japanese/articles/czq5428980zo
（*6） OCHA, 14 May 2025：「Reported impact snapshot | Gaza Strip」 
https://www.ochaopt.org/content/reported-impact-snapshot-gaza-strip-14-may-2025
（*7） OCHA, March 2025：「West Bank Monthly Snapshot - Casualties, Property Damage and Displacement 」 
https://www.ochaopt.org/content/west-bank-monthly-snapshot-casualties-property-damage-and-displacement-march-2025
（*8） ICJ Advisory Opinion, 19 July 2024：”Implementation of ICJ Advisory Opinion: State, GA, SecCo obligations – Position Paper of the United Nations Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and Israel”
https://www.un.org/unispal/document/position-paper-commissionof-inquiry-18oct24/
（*9）　朝日新聞, 2024年9月19日：「パレスチナ占領政策、「１年以内に終結を」　国連総会決議、１２４カ国賛成」
https://www.asahi.com/articles/DA3S16038419.html