Statement by the Press Secretary/Director-General for Press and Public Relations, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on the Situation in the Gaza Strip

December 26, 2008

The Government of Japan is deeply concerned about the deteriorating situation in and around the Gaza Strip in spite of the repeated calls by the international community.
Japan calls on Palestinian militants to immediately halt rocket attacks against Israel. Japan also calls on the Israeli government to keep exercising its utmost self-restraint. Japan strongly hopes that Israel and Hamas will restore the agreed cessation of violence. In this connection, Japan welcomes the intermediary efforts of Egypt for that purpose.
With regard to the ongoing peace negotiations re-inaugurated in Annapolis, Japan urges both Israel and the Palestinian Authority to continue the negotiations to improve the current situation and to advance the peace process. Japan will continue to support, to the greatest extent possible, the efforts towards the promotion of the Middle East Peace Process, and will continue its assistance to the Palestinian people, including for Gaza residents.

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