Japan on Wednesday expressed serious concern over the plans of the Israeli government to advance process for construction of over 4,000 settlement housing units in the West Bank, as well as the amendments made to settlement approval procedures that could expedite settlement expansion.
“Settlement activities are in violation of international law and Japan has repeatedly called upon the Israeli government to fully freeze those activities,” Foreign Ministry Press Secretary Hikariko Ono said in a statement.
“The move on the Israeli side this time clearly goes against efforts by the international community to stabilize the situation and to create a political horizon towards a two-state solution,” said Ono.
“Amid the deteriorating security situation, as exemplified by the recent clashes in Jenin, it is essential for all the parties concerned to refrain from unilateral actions including settlement activities and provocative behavior in order to prevent further escalation,” the spokeswoman stressed.
Japan also strongly condemns the terror attack in the West Bank and the following rampages on Tuesday, she said.
“Recalling the importance of the Aqaba and Sharm El Sheikh communiques, Japan strongly calls on all the parties concerned to take concrete steps to ensure de-escalation,” Ono added.
Source: Kuwait News Agency
