Controversy Erupts Over Israel's Attendance at Hiroshima Peace Ceremony During Ongoing Gaza Conflict

**Hiroshima Peace Ceremony Sparks Controversy Over Israel's Invitation Amid Gaza Conflict** Hiroshima, the Japanese city that suffered devastation from a U.S. atomic bomb in 1945, is facing backlash after local officials decided not to disinvite Israel from its annual peace ceremony. This decision comes as the conflict in Gaza intensifies, with Israel conducting airstrikes in response to a deadly attack by Hamas on October 7, 2022. Activists and survivors of the atomic bombing argue that Israel's presence at the ceremony is inappropriate given the ongoing violence and humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Each year, Hiroshima commemorates the bombing with a moment of silence at 8:15 a.m. on August 6, honoring the tens of thousands who perished. Some groups have called for Israel to be excluded from this year's event, similar to the disinvitation of Russia and Belarus in recent years due to the invasion of Ukraine. A spokesperson for the Hiroshima city government clarified that the exclusion of Russia and Belarus was a specific measure to maintain the ceremony's integrity, asserting that the situation with Israel is different. Meanwhile, Nagasaki, which was bombed shortly after Hiroshima, has yet to decide on Israel's invitation for its own peace ceremony on August 9. The ongoing war in Gaza has resulted in significant casualties and displacement, with over 2 million Palestinians facing dire shortages of essential resources. Activists express disappointment over Hiroshima's decision, emphasizing the need for a more inclusive approach to peace that acknowledges the suffering of all affected populations. Despite the controversy, Hiroshima's government has acknowledged the situation in Gaza in its invitation to Israel, urging an end to the military offensive while maintaining that the ceremony remains a platform for promoting peace.