Japan will pause tomorrow, Friday, to observe August 9, 1945, the date when the United States delivered a devastating blow t during World War II by plunging the first atomic bombs in human history. The first nuclear tragedy happened on August 6, 1945, in Hiroshima, followed three days later by the bombing of Nagasaki, where 74,000 people lost their lives.
Nevertheless, as the nation prepares for the solemn commemorations, a controversy has emerged: Israel was not invited to the opening ceremony. Western supporters of the Jewish state are voicing their displeasure.
The mayor of Nagasaki defended the decision, noting concerns regarding potential protests against Israel for its actions in Gaza over the past 10 months. Despite the mayor’s reasoning, Israel’s Western allies, who are traditionally invited to the ceremony, are not satisfied. The most vocal demonstrations have come from the United States (unsurprisingly), the United Kingdom (often following the U.S.), France (known for its ambiguity and double-talk), and Italy.
Diplomats from these nations will still attend, but their ambassadors have refused to partake in the commemoration ceremony, according to a report by RFI on Thursday. The reason for this boycott is that Israeli Ambassador Gilad Cohen was not invited in the same manner as his Western counterparts. The British Embassy in Japan described this as “an unfortunate and misleading equivalence with Russia and Belarus, the only other nations not invited” since the invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Shiro Suzuki, the city councillor of Nagasaki, remains firm in his decision, prioritizing public order and honouring the victims. “We desired the ceremony to proceed smoothly, peacefully, and solemnly. It was a difficult decision,” stated Suzuki, who called the boycott by the Western ambassadors “regrettable.” It’s essential to note that Nagasaki made this decision independently, without interference from the Japanese government, which has refrained from commenting.
It’s also worth noting that the Israeli ambassador did attend the commemoration ceremony in Hiroshima on Tuesday, August 6, but will not be present in Nagasaki. He voiced his discontent, stating that Nagasaki’s decision sends “a bad message to the world.” Despite his protest, the local authorities remain unwavering. The Western ambassadors boycotting the ceremony in solidarity with Gilad Cohen will instead attend a prayer and meditation ceremony at a large Buddhist temple in Tokyo.
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