Tokyo Calls for "Total Halt": Japan Condemns Israel’s Unilateral Expansion and Settlement Activities in the West Bank

The Japanese government expressed its "deep concern" following the Israeli Security Cabinet's decision to tighten control over the occupied West Bank. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Toshihiro Kitamura urged Israel to immediately cease all illegal settlement activities, stating they "violate international law and undermine the two-state solution." Japan also called for urgent measures to prevent settler violence and avoid escalating tensions while international efforts continue to stabilize the region around Gaza.

Tokyo's statement highlights the danger of Israel's new policies, which extend oversight to Areas A and B—territories legally under Palestinian Authority administration. With over 1,112 Palestinians killed in the West Bank since October 2023, Japan reaffirmed its commitment to diplomatic efforts aimed at urging Israel to reverse these unilateral steps that threaten to permanently alter the demographic and legal reality of the region.