BREAKING NEWS

Japan says it 'deeply deplores' Israeli settlement plan

Japan on Monday joined a growing list of countries condemning Israel for plans to construct settlement homes in east Jerusalem and the West Bank, saying the the move is "in violation of international law" and claiming it "goes against efforts by the international community to resume negotiations."
In a statement by the Japanese foreign ministry, the Asian country said it "deeply deplores" the settlement announcement. It added a call for the Palestinian Authority to return to "immediately resume direct negotiations with Israel."