Newsletter No. 392
News-Analysis
September 28, 2006

 

The following newsletter has been contributed by J. Sean Curtin (Shingetsu Member No. 30). Curtin is a scholar and journalist based in London.

SHIMON PERES ON JAPAN’S ECONOMIC ROLE IN THE PALESTINIAN TERRITORIES

Shimon Peres, the Israeli Deputy PM, gave a lecture at Chatham House in London on 27 September 2006, in which he said that Iran was instrumental in the recent hostilities between Israel and Lebanon. Iran sponsored Hizballah with millions of US dollars, wants to acquire nuclear weapons and destabilize the region. Discussing relations with the Palestinians, he said that in the past Israel had concentrated too much on strategy and diplomacy in negotiations, but would in future also try to use more economic incentives and financial based approaches.

In the Q&A session Shingetsu member Sean Curtin asked Mr. Peres about Japan's role in the helping resolve the conflict:

Sean Curtin: There are a number of international parties, most prominently the US, the EU and the UN, trying to assist the Israelis and the Palestinians realize the peace both peoples want. However, despite the efforts of these players for almost the last decade, there has not been much forward momentum, perhaps because these parties, even the UN, are seen as biased by one or another of the two sides in the conflict. Do you feel that there is any role for a party regarded as truly neutral by both sides? I am thinking here of Japan because of its efforts in recent years to engage with both sides, its good relations with the US and Islamic world, and its substantive financial assistance to the Palestinians. Alternatively, do you feel there are already too many parties offering assistance, or can Japan play a significant role?

Shimon Peres: The Japanese are helping the Palestinians financially and we support them in this.

Sean Curtin: Yes, Japan is one of the major contributors to the Palestinian Authority.

Shimon Peres: We certainly want to see progress in the Palestinian economy, which will make our neighbors feel better -- and the better they feel, the better neighbors they shall be. It is a positive contribution. As for the United Nations, it has its goodwill, but there are some countries that have tried to tie our hands on many occasions, but mostly unsuccessfully. If you think we are intransigent, just look at the Greeks and the Turks over Cyprus, where the United Nations is trying very hard to help. Look at the situation in Sudan, or the situation in Algeria. Also, you cannot say everything is connected with Israel, very far from it. So, we have to convince the people [at the UN] themselves. Now I am not trying to sound overly critical of the whole of the United Nations, far from it, they have done a good job and we appreciate the assistance they have given in Southern Lebanon. But there are also limits to what they can do.