Hiroshima Peace Memorial Ceremony Faces Controversy Over Israeli Attendance... Criticism Mounts: "Does This Not Condone the Gaza Massacre?"

Hiroshima City announced on August 8 that government representatives from 115 countries and the European Union (EU) are expected to attend the Peace Memorial Ceremony held at Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park on August 6. This is the largest number of attendees in history.

Specifically, Israel, which is currently continuing airstrikes on the Gaza Strip, has also expressed its intention to attend. In response, civic groups are strongly opposing this, demanding the withdrawal of Israel's invitation. Israel's attendance at the Peace Memorial Ceremony is causing controversy within the international community, with criticism pouring in that Hiroshima City is condoning the Gaza massacre.

Hiroshima City sent invitations to government representatives from 166 countries, and as of August 8, 115 countries have confirmed their attendance. This is the largest number of attendees in history following the G7 Summit held in Hiroshima City last year. This year, Iceland is scheduled to attend for the first time. Nuclear-weapon states expected to attend include the United Kingdom, France, India, and Israel. The United States is currently under coordination, while China, North Korea, and Pakistan have yet to respond. Ukraine has also not yet responded, and Russia, which launched the invasion of Ukraine, and Belarus, which supports Russia, were not invited.

This decision by Hiroshima City is causing controversy in the international community. Particularly, with criticism intensifying regarding Israel's airstrikes on the Gaza Strip, the public backlash against Hiroshima City for inviting Israel is also growing.

Regarding the invitation to Israel, Hiroshima City maintains its basic stance of "inviting representatives from all countries so that they can see and consider the reality of Hiroshima firsthand." However, civil society is strongly criticizing this as "condoning the Gaza massacre," and calls for the withdrawal of Israel's invitation are pouring in.

Hiroshima City is expected to face even stronger pressure regarding the issue of Israel's invitation in the future. As long as Israel's airstrikes on the Gaza Strip continue, Hiroshima City will likely be unable to avoid criticism regarding the issue of inviting Israel.