Arab News Japan

TOKYO: Activists campaigning for peace in Palestine gathered in the popular Shibuya district of Tokyo on Wednesday evening to denounce the bombing of Palestinian civilian targets by the Israeli military.

During the demonstration the names of victims of the bombings published by Gaza’s Ministry of Health were printed on a long banner and carried around by the demonstrators.

Despite the announcement of a four-day ceasefire and the anticipated release of 50 Israeli hostages and 150 Palestinian prisoners, the atmosphere at the Shibuya gathering remained tense.

The demonstrators highlighted the disastrous humanitarian situation in hospitals and schools in Gaza and the terrible conditions facing humanitarian workers there.

A Palestinian woman from Gaza told Arab News Japan that the humanitarian pause, announced earlier in the day, was nonsense because the supermarkets were empty and part of her family had died, but she welcomed negotiations for the release of hostages.Zak, an American employee from Florida, regretted that his government militarily supports Israel.

There was also a call to boycott brands supporting the Israeli economy at a time when its government is accused of committing genocide. Such brands included coffee chain Starbucks, McDonald’s, the footwear manufacturer Puma, as well as fruit from Israel.