US and UK ambassadors to skip Nagasaki memorial amid controversy

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
8 Aug 2024 00:11

The US and UK ambassadors to Japan will not attend the Nagasaki atomic bomb victim memorial on August 9 due to the Nagasaki administration's decision not to invite the Israeli envoy.

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This Sept. 14, 1945, file photo shows shacks made from scraps of debris from buildings that were leveled in the aftermath of the atomic bomb that was dropped over Nagasaki. (AP)

The US and UK ambassadors to Japan, Rahm Emanuel, and Julia Longbottom, respectively, will refrain from attending the atomic bomb victim's memorial in Nagasaki on August 9.

According to Kyodo news agency, citing sources, the decision was made after the Nagasaki municipal administration reportedly failed to extend an invitation to the Israeli envoy to Japan amid the ongoing genocide in Palestine.

According to various media sources, Australia, Italy, Canada, and the European Union are likely to follow in the footsteps of both the US and the UK.

Nagasaki excludes 'Israel' from nuclear bombing memorial

The Japanese city of Nagasaki will not invite "Israel" to its annual commemoration ceremony of the victims of the United States 1945 nuclear attack, held on August 9, the city's mayor announced earlier on July 31.

Nagasaki Mayor Shiro Suzuki said the decision to not invite the Israeli occupation stems from a desire for peace during the ceremony.

"Nine days are left, and there are still concerns to this moment ... That is why we have decided not to invite [Israel]. This is not a political decision. This decision comes from the fact that we want to have a peaceful and smooth ceremony."

However, he said the decision was a "pity" because Nagasaki had sent invitations and wanted multiple representatives to attend.

As a result, the Israeli Ambassador to Japan, Gilad Cohen, slammed the decision, saying it sent the wrong message to the world.

"The decision by Nagasaki's mayor not to invite Israel to the Peace Memorial Ceremony on August 9th is regrettable, sends a wrong message to the world, and deflects from the core message that Nagasaki has been promoting for years."