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    U.S. Ambassador Skips Nagasaki Memorial Over Israel Exclusion

    World News 4 Mins Read

    In a surprising move, U.S. Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel will not be attending this yearโ€™s atomic bombing memorial service in Nagasaki due to the cityโ€™s decision to exclude Israel from the event. The U.S. Embassy announced Wednesday that Emanuel would instead honor the victims at a Buddhist temple in Tokyo, citing the politicization of the memorial by Nagasakiโ€™s decision.

    The exclusion of Israel from the ceremony marks a significant deviation from previous years. Nagasaki Mayor Shiro Suzuki indicated in June his reluctance to invite Israel, pointing to the escalating conflict in the Middle East. Suzuki expressed concerns about potential protests, sabotage, or attacks that could disrupt the solemn atmosphere intended for the ceremony. Last week, he confirmed that Israel would not be invited, aiming to preserve a peaceful environment for commemorating the victims of the atomic bomb.

    The decision has sparked controversy and criticism, especially in contrast to Hiroshimaโ€™s approach. Hiroshima welcomed the Israeli ambassador among its attendees for the memorial ceremony held on Tuesday, which saw 50,000 participants, including Emanuel and other diplomats. However, Palestinian representatives were notably absent from the Hiroshima event.

    In response to Nagasakiโ€™s exclusion of Israel, officials announced that a representative from the U.S. Consulate in Fukuoka would attend Fridayโ€™s ceremony on behalf of the United States. Other G7 nations โ€” Canada, France, Germany, Italy, and the U.K. โ€” along with the European Union, are expected to send lower-ranking envoys instead of high-level representatives.

    The diplomatic community has expressed significant concern over Nagasakiโ€™s decision. In a joint letter, envoys from several countries highlighted the problematic nature of excluding Israel, noting that treating the nation on par with Russia and Belarus โ€” the only other countries not invited โ€” could be misleading. They urged Nagasaki to reconsider the decision to uphold the universal message of peace that the memorial ceremony represents.

    British Ambassador to Japan Julia Longbottom, who attended the 79th anniversary of the Hiroshima bombing, has also decided to skip the Nagasaki event. Longbottom stated that the exclusion of Israel could send the wrong message internationally and undermine the eventโ€™s intention of promoting peace and reconciliation.

    The atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August 1945 resulted in devastating loss of life, with 140,000 casualties in Hiroshima and 70,000 in Nagasaki. These bombings led to Japanโ€™s surrender on August 15, 1945, effectively ending World War II and concluding nearly fifty years of Japanese aggression in Asia. The annual memorials serve as somber reminders of the horrors of nuclear warfare and the importance of striving for a peaceful future.

    Major Points

    • U.S. Ambassador Rahm Emanuel will not attend Nagasaki’s atomic bombing memorial due to the exclusion of Israel, deeming the event “politicized.”
    • Instead, Emanuel will honor the victims at a Buddhist temple in Tokyo, avoiding the controversy.
    • Nagasaki’s decision, driven by concerns over Middle East conflicts and potential disruptions, contrasted with Hiroshimaโ€™s inclusion of the Israeli ambassador.
    • Five G7 nations and the EU criticized the exclusion, fearing it equates Israel with Russia and Belarus, urging Nagasaki to reconsider.
    • British Ambassador Julia Longbottom also plans to skip the ceremony, warning the exclusion sends a problematic message.

    Conner T โ€“ Reprinted with permission of Whatfinger News

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