Statement by Press Secretary/Director-General for Press and Public Relations, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on the Current Situation in Israel and the Palestinian Territories

January 22, 2008

The Government of Japan expresses its deep concern over the situation in the Gaza Strip, which threatens the lives of many civilians both in Gaza and in Israel, and would negatively affect the advancement of the Middle East Peace Process. The Government of Japan deplores that attacks including firing of the rockets from Gaza on Israeli territory are continuing, and also deplores that Palestinian civilians have been falling victims by the Israeli military operations and the closure of Gaza in retaliation for the attacks from Gaza.
The Government of Japan calls on all the parties concerned to avoid the further deterioration of the humanitarian situation in Gaza, and support the peace efforts of President Abbas of the Palestinian Authority. The Government of Japan also calls on both the Israeli and the Palestinian sides to exercise their utmost self-restraint to achieve a peace agreement by the end of this year. Japan will continue to support to the greatest extent possible the efforts towards the advancement of the Middle East Peace Process.

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