JAPAN CALLS FOR HALT TO ATTACKS ON GAZA;

C O N F I D E N T I A L TOKYO 000004 SIPDIS DEPT FOR NEA, EAP/J, NEA/IPA HANKINS AND PRM/ANE RAMGOOLIE E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/01/2019 TAGS: PREL EAID KPAL KWBG UNRWA IS JA SUBJECT: JAPAN CALLS FOR HALT TO ATTACKS ON GAZA; CONSIDERING ADDITIONAL CONTRIBUTIONS TO UNRWA REF: 08 STATE 135559 Classified By: Charge d'Affaires Jim Zumwalt for reasons 1.4(b) and (d) ¶1. (C) SUMMARY: Prime Minister Aso telephoned Prime Minister Olmert to urge an end to Israel's airstrikes on Gaza. Japan has also called on Hamas to stop firing rockets at Israel. The Israeli Embassy in Tokyo has been in touch with MOFA concerning possible UNSC actions concerning the situation in Gaza, but MOFA is awaiting the outcome of a planned experts meeting in New York before meeting with the Israeli Ambassador. Japan is aware of the UNRWA Flash Appeal and is currently in consultation with UNRWA to determine what type of assistance is required; inter-ministerial consultations concerning how much Japan can contribute are underway, but it is too soon to determine what Tokyo's contribution will be. There have been several peaceful demonstrations outside Israel's embassy in Tokyo. END SUMMARY. -------------- JAPAN URGES RESTRAINT -------------- ¶2. (C) Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso December 31 telephoned Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and spoke with him for approximately 20 minutes concerning the situation in Gaza, according to MOFA First Middle East Division Palestine desk officer Mamoru Kanno. PM Aso acknowledged Israel's right to self defense, but expressed concern for the safety of Palestinian civilians and asked Olmert to show restraint and to halt Israel's air strikes on Gaza. He also informed Olmert that Japan will be working with the Palestinian Authority and relevant international organizations to provide humanitarian assistance, and urged Israel to take steps to help avoid a humanitarian crisis. According to Kanno, Aso urged Olmert to permit food, water, and medical supplies into Gaza. Olmert reportedly replied that Israel will cooperate in efforts to provide relief supplies. He reiterated Israel's stance that Hamas is to blame for the continued violence, that Israel has a right and duty to protect its own citizens, and that it is taking all possible steps to avoid inflicting casualties on civilians. Aso's call to Olmert followed an earlier telephone conversation between Foreign Ministers Nakasone and Livni. ¶3. (C) Israeli Embassy Second Secretary Israel Strolov confirmed to us the gist of the telephone conversation, but indicated his embassy is a bit miffed that Aso's acknowledgment of Israel's right to self defense has not been reported in MOFA's public accounts of the conversation. The Israeli Embassy has been in touch with MOFA concerning possible Security Council action on this issue, continued Strolov. The Israeli Ambassador has requested a meeting with Deputy Vice Minister for Foreign Policy Koro Bessho, who handles UN affairs, although it is unlikely Bessho will see him before January 5. Strolov believes the Japanese are waiting for the outcome of a scheduled experts level meeting in New York before meeting his Ambassador. -------------- UNRWA FLASH APPEAL -------------- ¶4. (C) MOFA is aware of the UNRWA Flash Appeal and is consulting with UNRWA concerning their requirements for assistance, reported Kanno. He said that despite the New Year holiday which has basically shut down the Japanese government, inter-ministerial consultations are ongoing to determine how much Japan will be able to contribute. Kanno expects Japan will contribute, but said the amount of its contribution would probably not be known until the week of January 5. -------------- DEMONSTRATIONS AT ISRAELI EMBASSY -------------- ¶5. (C) At least three peaceful demonstrations have been held outside the Israeli Embassy in Tokyo, according to Strolov. On December 29, approximately 10 people showed up but were sent away by the police. On December 30 at 14:00, approximately 150 people from "left wing" organizations held banners, placed flowers, and chanted for an end to the airstrikes. Two hours later, an Amnesty International-organized group of about 250 peacefully protested. Strolov said that while most of the demonstrators were Japanese, approximately 40 seemed to be an organized group of "Iranians and other Middle Eastern-types." ZUMWALT