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Japan slams Israel for ‘legalizing’ West Bank settlements
We’ve been reporting on a decision by the Israeli government to approve the largest West Bank land seizure in more than three decades as the rate of land grabs in the occupied Palestinian territory peaks.
Yesterday, Japan slammed Israel for its decision to “legalize” settlement outposts in the West Bank, saying it violates “international law and undermines the viability of a two-state solution”.
“With regard to the reported authorization by the government of Israel to legalize five outposts in the West Bank, the government of Japan is deeply concerned about and reiterates its deep regret over the continuing settlement activities by the government of Israel despite repeated calls by the international community, including Japan”, a Foreign Ministry statement said.
Japan also “strongly” urged Tel Aviv to withdraw the decision and “fully” freeze its settlement activities, the statement added.
Australian Senator quits Labor after voting for Palestinian state
Senator Fatima Payman has resigned from the Australian Labor Party days after she split from other Labor representatives to vote in support of recognising a Palestinian state.
“My family did not flee from a war-torn country to come here as refugees for me to remain silent when I see atrocities inflicted on innocent people,” she told reporters on Thursday.
In an opinion article for Al Jazeera before the vote, Payman described the recognition of a Palestinian state as “a moral and ethical imperative”.
While Payman broke party ranks to support recognising a Palestinian state, her stance appeared to align with a National Platform adopted by Labor’s rank and file members, which described recognising Palestine as a priority.
She will continue to serve in the Australian Senate as an independent.
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