PNN/ Ramallah/

The Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday has issued a statement denouncing the Israeli government approving plans of housing units in settlements in the West Bank.

“Settlement activities are in violation of international law, and Japan has repeatedly called upon the Government of Israel to fully freeze settlement activities,” statement said. “Taking this opportunity the Government of Japan also expresses its deep concern about recent announcement by Israel declaring the land in the West Bank as “state land”.

The Government of Japan strongly called upon the Israeli government to “refrain from any unilateral act that doesn’t contribute to resuming peace talks and to desist from implementing the above-mentioned plan of construction for the sake of progress in the peace process.”

On Monday, the Israeli ministry of army has approved plans to build 153 new settlement units in illegal West Bank settlements, and announced that the process is in its final stages.