U.S. and U.K. ambassadors skip Nagasaki A-Bomb ceremony over Israeli exclusion

The U.S. Embassy confirmed that U.S. Ambassador Rahm Emanuel will skip the Nagasaki event, opting instead for a smaller ceremony in Tokyo. The embassy cited Emanuel’s wish to commemorate the day without participating in a politicized ceremony.

British Ambassador Julia Longbottom also announced she will not attend the Nagasaki ceremony, citing concerns that Israel's exclusion could equate it with countries like Russia, which has been barred from similar events since its invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

Both Emanuel and Longbottom participated in the Hiroshima ceremony earlier this week, where Israeli Ambassador Gilad Cohen was present.

Nagasaki's decision to exclude the Israeli ambassador follows security concerns related to Israel's ongoing genocide in Gaza. The city has invited the Palestinian envoy to the ceremony.

Several envoys, including those from Canada, France, Germany, Italy, and the European Union, have expressed concern over Nagasaki’s decision, suggesting it unfairly groups Israel with nations like Russia and Belarus.

Nagasaki Mayor Shiro Suzuki stated that the decision aimed to ensure a “peaceful and somber atmosphere,” denying any political motivations.

Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi commented that the government is not positioned to address Longbottom’s absence, referring the matter to the local Nagasaki government. (ILKHA)