October 21, 2026

The Japan-Palestine Friendship Parliamentary League held a hearing with Jibril Rajoub, secretary general of the Fatah Central Committee which controls the Palestinian Authority, in the Diet building on October 20.

Japanese Communist Party Secretariat Head Koike Akira participated in the hearing, along with lawmakers from other political parties.

Rajoub reported on the current situation in Palestine and strongly urged the Japanese government to recognize Palestine as a state.

In response, Koike stated, “I fully understand that it is high time for the Japanese government to grant that recognition.”

According to Rajoub, those killed or injured in Gaza, as well as those confined in detention centers, account for 12% of the total Palestinian population.

The Fatah official claimed that recognizing the State of Palestine and the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination is the only way to end Israel’s military occupation. He added that sending a clear message that Israel must immediately end its settlement policy will effectively achieve the recognition.

He expressed his hope that Japan will continue to oppose Israel’s settlement expansion and hold Israel accountable in accordance with international law.