Arab News Japan

TOKYO- Nearly 3000 trade unionists and students gathered in central Tokyo on Sunday against Israel and “preparations for World War III.”

The demonstrators took turns denouncing mainly the “American imperialisms” which is waging war on the people.

This protest brought together different tendencies of the national and international left such as American dockworker unionists, Koreans, Palestinians, Indians, Pakistanis, Germans who joined the movement.

Steve Zeltzer an American from San Fransisco close to trade union movement said he participated in the blockade in the port of Oakland on November 3 of maritime convoys of arms and ammunition to Israel to protest Israeli bombings in the Gaza Strip and added that workers had the power to stop wars.

Other activists expressed through signs the double standards of Western powers under the aegis of the United Nations which give Israel the right to defend itself while the Palestinians cannot have this right.

Several protesters spoke out and hoped that the movements of young workers and students would gain momentum with the realities of current wars that could soon threaten Japan.

Akiko Hoshino, the wife of the historic leader of the Zengakuren union, Fumioaki Hoshino, died in prison 44 years after participating in a demonstration against the war in Vietnam, wanted to recall her support for the bombed people and her opposition to the war in Palestine.

The demonstration which took place from Hibiya Park to Tokyo Station took place without major incident apart from a stampede with nationalist activists and the police which separated the two groups of demonstrators.