By Toma Mochizuki,
A group of activists gathered in Hiroshima on Tuesday to denounce Israel being invited to the annual peace ceremony in the city commemorating the 79th anniversary of its atomic bombing by the United States and called for the freedom of Gaza in the Palestinian territory.
The event, held at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, the venue of the ceremony earlier in the day, was joined by crowds of people and remotely by Waleed Siam, representative of the Permanent General Mission of Palestine in Japan.
"We express our horror, disappointment and frustration that the city of Hiroshima, a symbol of peace, has chosen to be hijacked by the oppressors and supporters, while excluding the victims," Siam said at the Citizens' Alternative Peace Memorial Ceremony for Palestine.
"The invitation perpetuated our suffering in the absence of our voices, undermining the very principle of justice that Hiroshima stands for," he said.
Masae Yuasa, a 61-year-old member of Hiroshima Palestine Vigil Community hosting the event, said they have been demonstrating by the Atomic Bomb Dome every day since Oct. 13.
"Hiroshima is known for advocating for lasting world peace and nuclear nonproliferation, and its citizens have sought that ideal," she said. "I believe that the invitation was a betrayal of that struggle."
Among the roughly 100 participants of the event, 73-year-old Mitsuko Yamaguchi, a Hiroshima native, said, "Inviting Israel to Hiroshima was disgraceful. It's as if we're accepting what's happening in Gaza."
The event came after Israel attended the morning ceremony following an invitation from the Hiroshima city government. The western Japan city said it did not invite Palestine on the grounds it is not a state recognized by the Japanese government or a member of the United Nations.
But the decision drew backlash as a double standard, with many pointing out Russia and Belarus had not received an invitation for a third straight year amid Moscow's invasion of Ukraine. Hiroshima officials later said they plan to review the invitation rules for next year.
In contrast, the Nagasaki city government, which will hold its own ceremony on Friday marking the 1945 atomic bombing of the city, did not invite Israel but invited Palestine to its annual event.
Ambassador of Israel to Japan Gilad Cohen called the decision "regrettable" and "sends a wrong message to the world" in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter.
On Tuesday, British Ambassador to Japan Julia Longbottom said in Hiroshima she has decided not to attend the Nagasaki ceremony, as not inviting Israel could be seen as treating it as equivalent to Russia and Belarus, when Israel is exercising its right to self-defense.
Israel began military operations in the Gaza Strip following a surprise attack on Israel on Oct. 7 by the Palestinian militant group Hamas. But concerns have grown internationally over the deaths and injuries of many civilians and the humanitarian situation in the Palestinian enclave.
Related coverage:
Hiroshima urges shift from nuclear deterrence on 79th A-bomb anniv.
Nagasaki mayor says Israel not invited to A-bomb peace ceremony
Virtual reality tours show Hiroshima A-bomb reality as survivors age
