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Peace Boat and Other Japanese NGOs Call for an Immediate Ceasefire in Gaza
On October 5, Peace Boat called again for an immediate and lasting ceasefire in Gaza with a joint statement from humanitarian non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in Japan.
Since the onset of the violence, Peace Boat has strongly condemned Hamas' attacks on Israeli civilians and the indiscriminate bombings of Gaza by the Israeli military. A year has passed and people in Gaza are experiencing an unprecedented humanitarian crisis. Peace Boat joined with humanitarian organizations in Japan at Zojoji Temple in Tokyo for a candlelit action. The event included reports on the current and ongoing situation in Gaza. In a joint statement, the organizations called for an immediate ceasefire.
“A year has passed since the beginning of the unprecedented humanitarian crisis in Gaza, yet there is still no prospect of a ceasefire or the release of hostages. During this time, the people of Gaza have endured constant bombings and gunfire, living in fear of death, deprived of sleep, and grieving the loss of loved ones, family, friends, homes, possessions, and even their dignity and memories. The hellish scenes of repeated evacuations in Gaza, where there is nowhere to flee, and the gathering up and burying of the remains of family members reduced to fragments by the bombing, have become the norm in Gaza”
“..We urgently call for an immediate and permanent ceasefire, an end to the occupation, and an end to the senseless violence”.
The action was coordinated by Save the Children Japan, Japan International Volunteer Center, NPO PARCIC, NPO Campaign for the Children of Palestine, NPO Peace Winds Japan and Peace Boat with the support of Japanese ME Studies Researchers' Appeal Office, Kokkyo naki Kdomotachi (KnK), Japan Catholic Council for Justice and Peace, Ayus Buddhist International Cooperation Network and the National Christian Council of Japan (NCC).
The full statement in Japanese can be read here
