Arab News Japan

TOKYO: As part of a “Palestine Weekend,” a group of sympathizers with Palestine paid tribute to the recently deceased Palestinian poet Refaat Alareer after he was deliberately targeted by Israeli bombings in Gaza City.

Participants of various nationalities flew kites in the blue January sky over Yoyogi Park in central Tokyo in memory of the poet.

SATOKO Kawano, a famous Japanese Tanka poet, told Arab News Japan that she was deeply moved when she translated Refaat Alareer’s poem.

After flying dozens of kites, the participants gathered to read and listen to the poem “If I Must Die,” which was written in English and translated into Japanese.

Refaat Alareer was murdered by Israeli occupation forces on December 6.  He wrote an entire body of work about the Israeli occupation of Palestine.