SLT Report

December 7, 2023

Analysis & Commentary

The 'Divided World' also revealed in the Israel-Hamas
conflict－What is required of Japan in this Divided World－Akihito Fuse, INPEX Solutions, LTD.

Contents
1.

Straying of the UN Security Council ............................................................................... 1

2.

Divided US public opinion towards Israel ........................................................................ 2

3.

European societies in turmoil ......................................................................................... 4

4.

The UN General Assembly debate is a mirror of world public opinion- Resolutions onGaza ceasefire by the UN General Assembly Emergency Special Session - ................... 45.

The Global South ........................................................................................................... 56.

‘Joint Statement of the G7 Foreign Ministers' Meeting’ and ‘Resolution of the Emergency
Joint Summit of the Arab League and Organization of Islamic Cooperation’ .................. 67.

Eyes from the Middle East and Arab countries- To Japan, To China - ........................ 8The Israel-Hamas conflict has further exposed the 'divisions' that have been occurring in various partsof the world. In this article, I will review this and consider what is required of Japan.

1.

Straying of the UN Security Council
The conflict between Israel and Hamas has been ongoing for over 8 weeks since Hamas attacked
Israel on October 7th. The fighting temporarily stopped on November 24th, with some hostages being
released, but it ended on December 1st and the fighting resumed. The Biden administration initially
supported Israel, just like previous US administrations. However, due to the sharp increase in civilian
casualties in Gaza, they faced pressure frominternational public opinion, the American people, andthe left-wing of the Democratic Party to call for aceasefire. As a result, they called on Israel to exercise
restraint in its attacks. Qatar and Egypt played a majorrole in negotiating the temporary ceasefire and therelease of hostages in this conflict.

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December 7, 2023

When the conflict began on October 7th, the United Nations Security Council could not agree on aunified response. In October, Russia, Brazil, and the United States proposed resolutions for aceasefire or cessation of hostilities, but they did not receive enough votes or were vetoed bypermanent members.1), 2),3)

On November 15th, approximately 10 days after the UN General Assembly Emergency Special
Session adopted a humanitarian ceasefire for Gaza on October 27th, the Security Council adopted
Resolution 2712 calling for a temporary cessation of hostilities and the release of hostages 4), 5). The
resolution proposed by Malta did not condemn Hamas' attacks on Israel, so the United States did
not support it. However, unlike when it exercised its veto power on Brazil's proposal on October
18th, the United States abstained this time and allowed the resolution to be adopted. Prior to thisresolution, the United States had been negotiating a 4-hour daily halt to Israeli and Gaza attacks
starting in November.

While there are criticisms of the United States' staunch support for Israel, the efforts of the Biden
administration towards a temporary ceasefire and the release of hostages should be appreciated,even if the ceasefire period was short.

2.

Divided US public opinion towards Israel
Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu stated that even if all hostages were released, Israel would continue
its attacks to annihilate Hamas. The attacks on Gaza by Israel are ongoing. Currently, the UnitedStates is the only country that can politically influence Israel. International public opinion, domestic
public opinion, and the left wing of the Democratic Party have shifted the initial pro-Israel stance of
the Biden administration towards calling for restraint in Israel's military actions.

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December 7, 2023

President Biden, who aims for reelection in the next presidential election, must pay attention topublic opinion in the United States. While the majority of Americans support Israel, criticism of Israel
is growing, especially among young people and liberals. According to a survey by NPR in October 6),
over80%of

Americans aged 60
andabove(BabyBoomers and older)supportIsrael,butonly

48%ofGeneration Z youth
supportIsrael.

According to a CNNpoll7) conducted in
mid-October, 81% ofAmericans aged 65
andabovebelievethat

Israel's

retaliationagainst

Hamas is "justified,"but this number drops
to 56% among thoseaged 50 to 64, 44%among those aged 35
to 49, and 27% among
those aged 18 to 34. Protests against Israel have also taken place at several universities, and someAmerican Jews are critical of Israel. Support for Biden among Arab American voters has significantlydecreased. Within the Democratic Party, criticism of Israel is increasing among the left wing. As aresult, Biden's approval rating dropped to 37% in a Gallup poll in October 8), the lowest since he took
office. The approval rating among Democratic Party supporters also decreased by 11 points from
86% in September to 75%. The situation in Palestine has had a significant impact on the Democratic
Party's electoral
strategy,whichaimstogather

supportfromwomen and young
people and secure
Biden'sreelection.

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3.

December 7, 2023

European societies in turmoil
The armed conflict between Israel and Hamas has deeply shaken European society. The roots of thisconflict can be traced back to historical events in Europe, such as religious persecution anddiscrimination against Jews. The Zionist movement, which led to the establishment of Israel, wasborn in late 19th-century Europe, where anti-Semitism was rising. The culmination of this antiSemitism was the Holocaust by the Nazis. European governments feel a historical responsibility for
their involvement in the establishment of Israel.

In addition to historical factors, Europe also faces social challenges related to the conflict. The
number of Islamic immigrants in Europe has significantly increased in recent years, surpassing 25
million. This has led to increased support for far-right parties opposing immigration.

The conflict between Israel and Hamas has further exacerbated social divisions in Europe and posesa threat of chaos in many regions. European governments are particularly concerned about thepotential for anti-Semitic incidents arising from this conflict.

4.

The UN General Assembly debate is a mirror of world public opinion- Resolutions on Gazaceasefire by the UN General Assembly Emergency Special Session In October, the United Nations held an emergency special session of the General Assembly toaddress the conflict in Palestine and Gaza. Resolutions calling for the establishment of humanitarian
corridors and humanitarian ceasefires, proposed by Jordan and others, were adopted. This resolution
has received support from 121 countries, accounting for more than two-thirds of the votes required
for adoption5), 9). On the other hand, Canada's proposed amendment to condemn Hamas' terrorist

attacks did not garner enough support for approval. The resolution has garnered support from 62%of the world's population, surpassing the support for last year's resolution condemning Russia's
invasion of Ukraine.10), 11)

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December 7, 2023

In the previous resolution condemning Russia, advanced countries in Europe, the United States, andJapan were united in favor, while China abstained and global South countries like India were divided
between supporting and abstaining. In the current Gaza ceasefire resolution, the United States
opposed it, but Western countries were divided between supporting and abstaining, and mostcountries in the Global South, except for India, supported the resolution. If the United Nations isseen as a platform for shaping international public opinion as a mirror of the world, then this time,the double standards of Israel, the United States, and Western Europe were criticized by the GlobalSouth.

Although United Nations General Assembly resolutions do not have legal binding, they have thepotential to influence international public opinion. In response to this resolution, President Bidencalled for a temporary ceasefire in Israel, and the Security Council adopted a resolution demanding
an immediate humanitarian ceasefire and the immediate release of hostages.

5.

The Global South
There is no universally agreed definition of the term "Global South." It is a concept based on
geographical, economic, and political factors, and its meaning varies. In many cases, it refers to agroup of low-income and middle-income countries, but it also includes high-income oil-producing
countries in the Gulf region. Furthermore, in many cases, China and Russia, despite being middleincome countries, are excluded from this group. Political factors also play a role, with some seeing
the Global South as a group between Western democracies and China and Russia's authoritarianism.

According to theWorldBank's

incomeclassifications12),
the Global Southaccounts for 62%of

theworld's

population and 18%ofGDP.

High-5 / 11

SLT Report

December 7, 2023

income countries account for 16% of the population and 61% of GDP, while China and Russia accountfor 20% of the population and 20% of GDP. Among the 193 member states of the United Nations, 59
are considered high-income countries, and 132 are considered part of the Global South.

In this year's G7
Hiroshima

Summit,chaired by Japan,
Session 4 focusedon"Enhancing

Engagement
Partnerswith(GlobalSouth, G20)." TheG7 discussed how
theycanalignthemselves with the Global South, as regions and countries in this category have experienced
economic growth, become more autonomous, and gained increased influence and presence. Thismeans they are no longer seen as subordinate to the advanced countries of the "North" and cannot
be led from a superior position. On the other hand, when countries identified as part of the Global
South refer to themselves as the "South," it often includes criticism of the "North" countries, with
the United States being the primary target. There is a growing trend of challenging the previous worldorder, which was centered around the advanced countries of the "North," by voicing objections tohuman rights issues based on Western values and expressing resistance to past colonial rule, among
other things.

6.

‘Joint Statement of the G7 Foreign Ministers' Meeting’ and ‘Resolution of the Emergency
Joint Summit of the Arab League and Organization of Islamic Cooperation’
The G7 represents the "North," while the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) is a major force
in the Global South. These two organizations have each issued statements and resolutions callingfor a temporary ceasefire between Israel and Hamas and the cessation of hostilities. G7 foreign
ministers held a meeting in Tokyo13), emphasizing the unity and responsible role of the G7 in theinternational community through their statement. The OIC held an extraordinary summit in Riyadh,attended by leaders of Islamic countries, reaffirming their commitment to the Palestinian cause anda two-state solution.14)

Both the G7 and OIC statements agree on the fundamental solution being a two-state solution.

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However,

there

aredifferences

in

their

positionsregardingcondemningHamas

attacks,

whether

December 7, 2023

theinterruption of combat
should be temporary orpermanent, the releaseof hostages, or the liftingof the Gaza blockade byIsrael. Neither the G7
statement nor the OIC
resolution

directlyinterveneorimpose

sanctionsonIsrael.

Somecountries

participating in the OIC
still maintain economicrelations

withIsrael,including the Abraham
Accords. The proposal
made by Iran for an oilembargoonsuspension

Israelandtheofeconomicrelations was not supported atthe OIC summit.

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December 7, 2023

The OIC resolution refers tothe widely supported United Nations General Assembly resolutions. The condemnation of Israel by
the OIC and criticisms to the West reflect the perspectives of many countries in the Global South.

7.

Eyes from the Middle East and Arab countries- To Japan, To China -Japan
Ahead of theG7

foreignministers'

joint emergency
summit of theLeagueand OIC, Arabcountries

Japan for an
immediate

Palestinians, including 4,700 children and 3,200 women, and the numbers weregrowing every day.
The Council expressed its appreciation for Japan’s participation in the United Nations
Security Council resolution but disappointment that Japan had not asked for ainternational laws for too long and it was time to hold them to account for theiractions.
They pointed out that Japan could use its influence in the international community toceasefire in theIsrael-Hamas
conflict.15)

demand that the Security Council adopt resolutions that would protect the civiliansof the Gaza Strip, allow humanitarian aid and basic supplies to reach the people, andprevent more destruction of hospitals by Israel’s military forces.

themeetings of theG7 and OIC, theArab diplomaticdelegation helddiscussions
withThe Council said that the violence of the past 42 days had killed close to 12,000

ceasefire. They added that the international community had allowed Israel to ignore

reached out toFollowing

held a meeting with Minister of Foreign Affairs TSUJI Kiyoto on Friday to stress that
only international intervention would bring about an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.

meeting and theArabTOKYO: The Council of Arab Ambassadors in Japan, speaking for all Arab countries,

The Council also said that Japan could support legal steps to hold war criminals
responsible and advocate for a two-state solution, as per UN resolutions.
The meeting ended with the Council reiterating its concern over Japan’s lack of clear
support for the Palestinian suffering at the hands of Israel and indicating that it could
affect Japan’s image if it did not prioritize support to end the violence. (ARAB NEWS,November 17, 2023)

theJapanese government in Tokyo16). While expressing disappointment and criticism towards Japan's
response as the G7 chair, they also urged Japan to exert its influence in the international community

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December 7, 2023

to provide protection and humanitarian assistance to the people of Gaza based on UN resolutions.
They also called for Japan's support for legal initiatives to hold war criminals and those responsible
for humanitarian crimes accountable.

China
On November 20, a joint delegation of Islamic countries' foreign ministers visited Beijing and heldtalks with Foreign Minister Wang Yi.17) Wang Yi expressed support for Palestine and emphasized
China's continuous efforts to calm the fighting in Gaza and alleviate the humanitarian crisis. 18) On
November 3019), the Chinese Foreign Ministry published a document explaining "China's position" onresolving the Palestinian issue. On November 29, as the President of the Security Council for
November, Wang Yi chaired a ministerial-level meeting on the Gaza situation.20)

China's position on the Israel-Hamas conflict is complex. Initially, China called for calm and opposed
acts that harm civilians but did not directly condemn Hamas. It also called for an immediate ceasefire
and emphasized the need for an independent Palestinian state. China has traditionally provided
political support to the Palestinians and recognized them as a state. However, its relationship withIsrael has deepened in terms of technology and economic cooperation. China's involvement in theconflict stems from its interest in Middle East stability and its desire to enhance its political status
in the world. It can be seen as implicitly criticizing the United States and gaining sympathy from theIslamic world and the Global South. However, many Arab and Islamic countries still consider theUnited States as their primary provider of security and do not have high expectations for China inresolving Middle East issues.

How will Japan respond?
Japanese diplomacy is often seen as aligning with the United States, but its recent stance seems tobe in line with the framework of the G7. While placing diplomatic emphasis on Europe and the UnitedStates, Japan has also prioritized "balanced diplomacy" in its relations with the Middle East due toits energy dependence on the region. However, Japan's response to the Israel-Hamas conflict isviewed as disappointing by Arab society. It is important to listen to the voices of the OIC and theArab diplomatic delegation. The voices of countries in the Global South are gaining influence, andthe world is changing. Japan's current policy should be based on a global perspective, rather thanrelying on established concepts and inertia. Diplomacy should consider multiple perspectives, as it is
not determined by a single issue alone.

==============================================================================Reference1) Security Council rejects Russian resolution on Gaza, October 16, 2023

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Israel-Gaza crisis: US vetoes Security Council resolution, October 18, 20233)

Gaza crisis: Deadlock deepens as Security Council rejects competing resolutions by US andRussia, October 25, 2023

4)

Israel-Palestine crisis: Security Council calls for urgent, extended humanitarian pauses inGaza, UN News United Nations, November 15, 20235)

Gaza crisis: General Assembly adopts resolution calling for ‘humanitarian truce’, civilian
protection, UN News United Nations, October 27, 2023

6)

Americans strongly support Israel, but there are generational and racial divides, NPR,October 13, 2023

7)

CNN Poll : Americans are deeply sympathetic toward Israelis and see their militaryresponse to Hamas attacks as justified, CNN, October 15, 2003

8)

Democrats’ Rating of Biden Slips; Overall Approval at 37%, Gallup, October 26, 2023

9)

United Nations General Assembly Resolution ES-10/21, WIKIPEDIA

10) General Assembly resolution demands end to Russian offensive in Ukraine, UN News United
Nations, March 2, 2022
11) Eleventh emergency special session of the United Nations General Assembly, WIKIPEDIA
12) World Bank Country and Lending Groups, The World Bank Data Help desk HP13) G7 Japan 2023 Foreign Minister’s Statement November 8, 2023, Tokyo、Ministry of Foreign
Affairs of Japan HP、November 8, 2023
14) At the Joint Arab-Islamic Extraordinary Summit in Riyadh: Secretary-General Stresses theOIC’s Rejection of Forced Displacement Plans and Demands Immediate Cessation of theIsraeli Aggression Against the Palestinian People, Press Releases Organization of IslamicCooperation HP, November 11, 2023
15) Arab ambassadors call on Japan to help realize peace in Gaza, ARAB NEWS, November 3,2023
16) Council of Arab Ambassadors urges Japan to take stronger action on Gaza, ARAB NEWS,November 17, 2023
17) Wang Yi Holds Talks with the Delegation of Arab-Islamic Foreign Ministers, Ministry ofForeign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China HP, November 20, 2023
18) Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning’s Regular Press Conference on November 22,
2023, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China HP

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December 7, 2023

19) Position Paper of the People’s Republic of China on Resolving the Palestinian-Israeli
Conflict, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China HP, November 30,202320) Wang Yi Holds a Group Meeting with Arab-Islamic Foreign Ministers, Ministry of Foreign
Affairs of the People’s Republic of China HP, November 30, 2023

(End)

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed here by Authors are their own, not those ofINPEX Solutions, LTD.

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