Nagasaki defies pressure from G7, will keep Israel away from US bombing commemoration event

ISTANBUL

The Nagasaki local government has defied pressure from the Group of Seven (G7) nations and stands by its decision to keep away Israel from an event to commemorate the US nuclear bombing of Japan during World War II.

Nagasaki Mayor Shiro Suzuki said the decision was “not politically motivated,” the Tokyo-based Kyodo News reported.

There would be no change to the decision, Suzuki said, recalling his government’s move to not invite Israeli officials to its annual event scheduled for Friday in southwestern Nagasaki.

In a coordinated move against Suzuki’s decision, envoys of the US, the UK, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, and the EU -- G7 members -- may not attend the government event in Nagasaki.

They have linked their presence with an invitation to Israel, which Nagasaki has refused.

One of the G7 members, Japan -- the host and victim of the US nuclear bombing -- has not said anything yet about the issue.

Local governments in the twin cities have held annual events since World War II, after the US dropped nuclear bombs on Hiroshima, the site of the world's first atomic bomb, on Aug. 6, 1945, and then Nagasaki on Aug. 9, resulting in at least 140,000 deaths by the end of that year.

Japan is commemorating the 79th anniversary of the atrocity this year.

Suzuki’s decision has drawn wide support, particularly among young people.

Japan does not recognize a Palestinian state but hosts the General Mission of Palestine in Tokyo.

The deputy chief of the Palestinian mission will attend the Nagasaki event.

Citing “security reasons” if Israel was invited, Suzuki said he hoped the event would be “conducted smoothly under a solemn atmosphere.”

“I will continue to persevere and ask for understanding of the decision as often as necessary," he said.

On Tuesday, peace activists held demonstrations against Hiroshima, where the local government invited Israeli officials to its event.

The Pro-Palestine protesters slammed the Hiroshima government for double standards when it comes to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war and the Israeli onslaught on Gaza.

Japan has not invited Russia, as well as Belarus, to these events since Moscow launched its “special military operation” against Kyiv in February 2022.