The Government of Japan is gravely concerned with the fact that the clashes between the Israelis and the Palestinians have been continuing almost for two weeks, not only causing further casualties but also spreading over a wider area.
Japan condemns any act of provocation, any form of violence and excessive use of arms.
Japan strongly urges once again all the parties concerned to immediately halt violence and to cope with the situation with maximum self-restraint. Japan underlines once more that a negotiated peace is the only realistic option and strongly hopes that, as a first step toward this end, the parties will work out a ceasefire the soonest possible. Japan is ready to extend any possible assistance to the parties concerned for their efforts to settle the current situation and to achieve peace through negotiations.