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

February 5, 2008

Japan strongly condemns the suicide bombing by a Palestinian extremist which occurred on February 4 in Dimona, Israel. Japan expresses its condolences to the bereaved family as well as deepest sympathy for the people who were injured. Terrorism cannot be justified for any reason, and any attempt to justify it is unacceptable.
Japan deeply deplores the fact that such an incident occurred while the both parties are making their efforts to realize the peace in the Middle East through relaunching good-faith bilateral negotiations between the Israelis and the Palestinians.
Japan urges the Palestinian Autority to take all the necessary measures to prevent such suicide bombings and to control the extremists. Japan also calls on the Israeli Government to keep exercising its utmost self-restraint in dealing with the present situation.

(END)