Press Release
May 11, 2015
Statement by Foreign Press Secretary Yasuhisa Kawamura on the
announcement regarding the settlement construction in East Jerusalem
1. The Government of Japan deeply deplores that, according to information, the Israeli authority has approved the construction of settlement for 900 units in East Jerusalem. The advance of Israeli settlement policy, despite of the repeated urging of the international community including Japan, clearly undermines the ongoing efforts by the international community toward realizing a two-state solution.
2. 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 the new Israeli government to refrain from any unilateral act that changes the current status quo and to desist from implementing the above-mentioned plan of construction for the sake of progress in the peace process.
3. Japan once again strongly urges both Israeli and Palestinian sides to act to enhance mutual trust and continue to make steady efforts for peace.
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Country: Japan
Subject: Human rights and international humanitarian law, Jerusalem, Peace process, Settlements, Statehood-related
Publication Date: 11/05/2015