Japan regrets Jewish construction in West Bank

Japan on Tuesday expressed concern that the Israeli government has repeatedly continued its plan for the construction of 1, 225 new houses in the West Bank, saying it clearly goes against the ongoing efforts by the international community toward a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. "The Israeli government continues to proceed with its plan for settlement construction at a time when the US and the international community are making utmost efforts to resume direct negotiations between Israeli and Palestinian sides," Foreign Ministry Press Secretary Yutaka Yokoi said in a statement. "Settlement activities are a violation of international law, and Japan has repeatedly called upon Israel to fully freeze settlement activities," Yokoi said. "Japan strongly calls upon Israel not to implement the above-mentioned plan of construction for the sake of progress in the peace process," he added. Japan does not recognize any act that prejudges the final status of the territories in the pre-1967 borders. Last week, the Israeli Defense Ministry said the country is moving forward with plans to build a total of 1,225 new housing units in two isolated Jewish settlements in the West Bank.