Japanese Embassy in Israel: Decision on Palestinian state ‘not official’ yet
(JNS) — The Japanese Embassy in Israel said on Wednesday that, contrary to reports, no official decision had yet been made on whether Tokyo would recognize a Palestinian state at the United Nations next week.
“As of now, there is no official announcement on behalf of the Japanese Government,” the mission wrote in a response to a JNS query, noting it was “aware” of local reports that Tokyo had abandoned the move.
Earlier on Wednesday, Japan’s Asahi Shimbun daily cited anonymous government sources as saying that the Asian nation would not recognize “Palestine” for now, a decision likely taken to maintain relations with the Trump administration and to avoid a hardening of Jerusalem’s stance.
Washington has reportedly asked Tokyo via multiple diplomatic channels to refrain from recognition, countering strong pressure from French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot.
Speaking at a news briefing on Tuesday, Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya said that his government had been carrying out a “comprehensive assessment, including appropriate timing and modalities, of the issue of recognizing Palestinian statehood.”
The Japanese reports came after several countries, including the United Kingdom, France, Canada and Australia, announced that they would recognize a Palestinian state next week at the United Nations.
UN commission concludes for the first time that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza
(JTA) — A United Nations Commission of Inquiry concluded Tuesday that Israel is committing a genocide in Gaza, marking the three-member panel’s first such finding.
Israel immediately rejected the finding.
In a 72-page report, the three-member panel accused Israel of committing four genocidal acts since Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, attack, including killing Palestinians and creating conditions to cause the “physical destruction in whole or in part” of the Palestinian people. They cited the destruction of a fertility clinic as evidence that Israel was “imposing measures intended to prevent births within the group.”
The panel accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, President Isaac Herzog and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant of inciting genocide against Palestinians in Gaza.
“The responsibility for these atrocity crimes lies with Israeli authorities at the highest echelons who have orchestrated a genocidal campaign for almost two years now with the specific intent to destroy the Palestinian group in Gaza,” the panel’s leader, Navi Pillay, a South African jurist and former U.N. high commissioner for human rights, said in a statement.
The commission had previously issued reports accusing Israel of committing war crimes and crimes against humanity. The panel has no enforcement powers but may be used by the International Court of Justice as well as the International Criminal Court.
G7 leaders censure Iranian incitement, reiterate their support of Israeli defense
(JNS) — G7 members (Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, the United States and the European Union), along with associate members Australia and New Zealand, released a joint statement last week condemning Iran’s attempts to intimidate and assassinate political opponents abroad, as well as spread antisemitism.
“Iranian intelligence services have increasingly attempted to kill, kidnap and harass political opponents abroad, following a disturbing and unacceptable pattern of transnational repression, and clearly undermining state sovereignty,” read the statement issued on Sept. 12.
“Other malign activities include operations to obtain and disclose the personal information of journalists and attacks designed to divide societies and intimidate Jewish communities,” it said.
In July, G7 leaders unequivocally expressed their support for Israel in its conflict against the Iranian regime.
“We affirm that Israel has a right to defend itself. We reiterate our support for the security of Israel,” the statement read.
Halifax man charged in synagogue hate vandalism
(JNS) — Halifax Regional Police have arrested a suspect in connection with antisemitic vandalism last weekend in the eastern Canadian city.
Gezim Topalli, 31, was arrested in his Halifax home on Tuesday and charged with three counts of mischief related to religious property, three counts of property damage and one count of public incitement of hatred, according to Wednesday’s statement.
His arrest follows an investigation into six antisemitic graffiti messages found around the provincial capital of Nova Scotia, including three written directly on Jewish sites — Shaar Shalom and Beth Israel synagogues and a building associated with Chabad-Lubavitch of the Maritimes Rohr Family Institute. Three other incidents were on nearby sidewalks.
The graffiti included a Nazi swastika and the words “Jews did 9/11.”
“I am pleased with the outcome of this investigation. While I credit the quick and thorough work of HRP’s hate crime investigator, I also want to thank the public who came forward to help identify the suspect,” said Chief Don MacLean. “The swift and seamless collaboration between police and the community represents our city taking a strong and unified stance against the promotion of hatred.”
