City of Hiroshima has no plan to release statement against Gaza invasion, citing “It is a matter to be exclusively addressed by national government,” in response to inquiry letter from civic group
Feb. 22, 2024
by Ikumi Yorikane, Staff Writer
On February 21, the Hiroshima-Palestine Vigil Community, a civic group protesting against Israel’s military invasion into the Gaza, in the Palestinian autonomous region, released the City of Hiroshima’s response to an open inquiry letter sent from the group. Regarding a question in the letter asking how to act against the Israeli invasion of Gaza, the city indicated it had no plan of releasing a statement, commenting that “Issues of diplomacy and security are matters for which Japanese national government has exclusive authority.”
In a response document dated February 20, the city explained it had previously sent a letter of protest against the act inhibiting the elimination of nuclear weapons, including a nuclear test. It also wrote that the city had protested against Russia’s invasion into Ukraine, because Russian President Vladimir Putin had hinted at the use of nuclear weapons. Israel is also a de-facto nuclear-armed nation, but the city has said it would like to help contribute to creating an environment for realizing a peaceful international society, along with other member cities of Mayors for Peace.
On February 21, the City Council also responded to the group’s inquiry letter asking about its recognition of the Gaza invasion, writing that no decision was made because there had been no resolution submitted to the council.
The same day, the civic group launched an online signature drive to call upon the city to release a statement and resolution against the invasion of Gaza. Masae Yuasa, member of the group and professor at Hiroshima City University (an expert in sociology) said, “The responses from the city and the city council clearly represented they had no intention to take any action on this issue. We want to urge them to act.”
(Originally published on February 22, 2024)
On February 21, the Hiroshima-Palestine Vigil Community, a civic group protesting against Israel’s military invasion into the Gaza, in the Palestinian autonomous region, released the City of Hiroshima’s response to an open inquiry letter sent from the group. Regarding a question in the letter asking how to act against the Israeli invasion of Gaza, the city indicated it had no plan of releasing a statement, commenting that “Issues of diplomacy and security are matters for which Japanese national government has exclusive authority.”
In a response document dated February 20, the city explained it had previously sent a letter of protest against the act inhibiting the elimination of nuclear weapons, including a nuclear test. It also wrote that the city had protested against Russia’s invasion into Ukraine, because Russian President Vladimir Putin had hinted at the use of nuclear weapons. Israel is also a de-facto nuclear-armed nation, but the city has said it would like to help contribute to creating an environment for realizing a peaceful international society, along with other member cities of Mayors for Peace.
On February 21, the City Council also responded to the group’s inquiry letter asking about its recognition of the Gaza invasion, writing that no decision was made because there had been no resolution submitted to the council.
The same day, the civic group launched an online signature drive to call upon the city to release a statement and resolution against the invasion of Gaza. Masae Yuasa, member of the group and professor at Hiroshima City University (an expert in sociology) said, “The responses from the city and the city council clearly represented they had no intention to take any action on this issue. We want to urge them to act.”
(Originally published on February 22, 2024)
