Arab News Japan

TOKYO: Japan on Wednesday condemned the Israeli extremist settler violence committed against Palestinians in the West Bank and strongly demanded that Israel freezes its settlement plans.

An official statement issued by the Foreign Ministry in Tokyo said regarding the reported authorization by Israel to legalize five outposts in the West Bank, that “the Government of Japan is deeply concerned about and reiterates its deep regret over the continuing settlement activities by the Government of Israel despite repeated calls by the international community, including Japan.

“Settlement activities are in violation of international law and undermine the viability of a two-state solution. The Government of Japan strongly urges Israel to withdraw the decision and fully freeze its settlement activities,” the Ministry said. “The Government of Japan is also seriously concerned about the rise in extremist settler violence committed against Palestinians. The Government of Japan condemns such violence and calls on the Government of Israel to take appropriate measures to prevent violence by extremist settlers.

The Government of Japan once again calls for the need to refrain from actions that escalate tensions, including those in the West Bank, considering the critical humanitarian situations in the Gaza Strip,” according to the statement.