Japan voices ‘serious concern’ over developments in Palestine

The Government of Japan, on Tuesday, expressed serious concern about the latest developments in East Jerusalem, which resulted in the injury of dozens of civilians.

The Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in a statement released by the Japanese embassy in Amman, said that the acts of violence 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,” the statement added.

The Government of Japan strongly urged 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, the Japanese government 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, it said, to construct 540 units in East Jerusalem is nothing but a 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 again urged the Government of Israel to reverse this decision and fully freeze its settlement activities.

Source: Jordan News Agency