By KUNA,
Tokyo : Japanese Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada on Monday voiced concern that Israeli authorities have demolished Palestinian houses in occupied East Jerusalem, calling on the Israeli government to refrain from such measures.
“The demolitions these days have caused the evictions of the Palestinian families and it might put negative impact on the environment for the resumption of the peace talks,” Okada said in a statement.
“Japan appreciates the recent announcement by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas (on) holding presidential and legislative elections in January 2010, as one of President Abbas’s efforts to unify the Palestinians through democratic measures,” he said.
Japan is determined to make its utmost efforts for supporting the ongoing endeavors of the international community including the US to resurrect the peace talks, and expects the Israeli and Palestinian parties and Arab states to make more efforts towards realization of Middle East peace, he added.
Israel occupied East Jerusalem in 1967 and annexed it in a move which is not recognized by the international community.