Statement by the Press Secretary/Director-General for Press and Public Relations, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on the suicide bombing in Hadera in Central Israel

October 27, 2005

Japan strongly condemns the suicide bombing by a Palestinian extremist which occurred on October 26 in Hadera in central Israel. Terrorism cannot be justified for any reason. Japan expresses its condolences to the bereaved families as well as deepest sympathy for the many who were injured.
This act of terrorism comes at a time when both Israelis and Palestinians are making sincere efforts to achieve peace following the completion of Israel's withdrawal from the Gaza Strip and part of the West Bank. Japan is strongly concerned that this incident may have a negative impact on the future development of the peace process.
Japan urges the Palestinian Authority to make its utmost effort to control the extremists. Japan also calls on the Israeli Government to exercise its utmost self-restraint in dealing with this incident.

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