Israel's Envoy Criticizes Nagasaki's Decision to Exclude Him from Peace Ceremony

Israel's ambassador to Japan has expressed strong discontent with Nagasaki's decision to exclude him from the upcoming peace ceremony commemorating the 1945 atomic bombing. The envoy accused the local mayor of fabricating security concerns, contrasting Nagasaki's stance with that of Hiroshima, which has invited him to its ceremony. This decision comes amid pressure from activists and bomb survivor groups advocating for the exclusion of Israel due to its military actions in Gaza, where significant civilian casualties have occurred since the conflict escalated on October 7. The ambassador emphasized that Nagasaki's decision was not politically motivated but rather aimed at maintaining a peaceful atmosphere for the ceremony. He asserted that there were no legitimate public order concerns preventing his attendance, claiming to have verified this with relevant authorities. He criticized the mayor's justification as unfounded, highlighting that Hiroshima officials had no issues regarding security for his participation. On the same day as the Nagasaki ceremony, the ambassador plans to lay floral tributes at Hiroshima Peace Park to honor the victims of the atomic bombings. While he did not confirm whether an official complaint had been lodged with the Japanese government, he referred to Tokyo as "an ally of Israel," indicating a desire for diplomatic dialogue. The bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August 1945 resulted in immense loss of life and suffering, leading to Japan's surrender and the end of World War II. Each year, memorials in both cities serve as reminders of the horrors of nuclear warfare and the ongoing pursuit of global peace.