October 18, 2023

Under a situation in which Israel is preparing to launch a full-scale land invasion of the Gaza Strip, about 600 people on the evening of October 16 took to the streets near the Israeli Embassy in Tokyo to call for an immediate ceasefire between the warring parties.

Holding placards reading, “Peace in Gaza!” and “Stop attacks on Gaza!”, participants, including people of religious faith and people from the Middle East, shouted, “Don’t kill children!” and “Stop bombing!”

This action was organized by the All-Out Action Committee consisting of civil groups working against war and for peace.

Japanese Communist Party member of the House of Councilors Yamazoe Taku joined the action and delivered a speech in solidarity.

Yamazoe said, “Hamas’ indiscriminate attacks and abduction of civilians are violations of international humanitarian law and thus unforgivable. At the same time, it is wrong of Israel to carry out attacks that would devastate the densely populated Palestinian enclave. There is no justification for this act.” Calling for an immediate ceasefire, he said that the need is for the international community to make efforts to encourage the two sides to come to a negotiation table to achieve this.

After the action, participants delivered to the Israeli Embassy a written request calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.