Press Releases
Recent Developments in Israel and Palestine
(Statement by Press Secretary YOSHIDA Tomoyuki)
May 11, 2021
- The Government of Japan expresses its serious concern about the latest developments surrounding Israel and Palestine, including clashes and violence in East Jerusalem causing a number of injuries as well as firing of rockets from Gaza.
- Acts of violence, including the firing of rockets from Gaza and the clashes in East Jerusalem, cannot be justified for any reason. It has to be said that the current situation goes against the efforts by the international community to seek for a two-state solution whereby the state of Israel and a future independent state of Palestine live side by side in peace and security, and the Government of Japan strongly condemns such acts of violence. The Government of Japan strongly urges all parties concerned to exert maximum self-restraint avoiding any unilateral action, to avert further escalation of the situation, and to restore the calm.
- In this regard, it must be pointed out that the potential ruling of Palestinian families’ evictions from their homes in East Jerusalem, including Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood, could exacerbate the situation. The Government of Israel’s approval to construct 540 units in East Jerusalem is nothing but the continuation of the settlement activities by the Government of Israel, of which the Government of Japan has repeatedly called for retractions as they are in violation of international law, and thus is totally unacceptable. The Government of Japan once again urges the Government of Israel to reverse the above-mentioned decision and fully freeze its settlement activities.