Press Releases
Statement by the Press Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, on the announcement regarding the construction of housing units in East Jerusalem
1. The Government of Japan deeply deplores that the Israeli authority announced the approval of the construction of about 2600 housing units in the Jewish settlements in East Jerusalem.
2. The Israeli announcement, following the recent expropriation of the land in the southern part of the West Bank,clearly goes against the ongoing efforts by the international community toward the ceasefire agreement regarding the Gaza Strip and realizing a two-state solution.
3. Settlement activities are a violation of international law, and Japan has repeatedly called upon Israel to fully freeze settlement activities. The Government of Japan strongly calls upon Israel to refrain from any unilateral act that changes the current status of East Jerusalem as well as the West Bank and to desist from implementing the above-mentioned plan of construction for the sake of progress in the peace process.
4. Japan once again strongly urges both Israeli and Palestinian sides to act to enhance mutual trust and continue to make steady efforts for peace.