Key Facts
• August 27, 2025: Amir Ohana, Israeli Parliament Speaker, interviewed in Tokyo.
• Criticized UK, France, Canada, and Australia for moves to recognize Palestine.
• Claimed recognition rewards Hamas and escalates conflict.
• Stressed disputes should be resolved locally, not in Paris or London.
• Warned forced solutions lead to more war and bloodshed.
• October 2024: Israeli Parliament banned UNRWA activities, sparking global criticism.
• Ohana highlighted U.S.-Israel-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) for aid distribution.
• Asserted violence ends only with Hamas’ removal.
Summary
Amir Ohana, Speaker of the Israeli Parliament, criticized international efforts to recognize Palestine as a state during an interview in Tokyo on August 27, 2025. He argued that such recognition rewards the Islamist group Hamas and exacerbates conflict. Ohana emphasized that disputes between Israel and Arab nations should be resolved locally, warning that external interventions could lead to further violence. He also defended Israel’s 2024 decision to ban UNRWA activities, citing the U.S.-Israel-supported Gaza Humanitarian Foundation as an alternative for aid distribution. Ohana maintained that peace is achievable only with the elimination of Hamas.
