日本語

Link for this petition here: https://www.change.org/yes_to_life_no_to_IDF_eng

In June 2024, the manager of a hotel in Kyoto requested the cancellation of a reservation made by a member of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). Israel has been carrying out indiscriminate mass killings in Gaza for over nine months, with some Israeli ministers even mentioning the extermination of Palestinians and the use of nuclear weapons. The manager’s decision was based on the numerous war crimes and violations of international law committed by the IDF, and was neither an act of discrimination based on nationality nor anti-Semitism. However, the Israeli Ambassador to Japan distorted the facts unilaterally, claiming that the cancellation of the reservation constituted nationality discrimination, despite the fact that the cancellation was mutually agreed upon. Through a letter (June 17 Letter, from now on), the Ambassador demanded actions such as the dismissal of the hotel manager and an apology.

 

 

We hereby request the Israeli Ambassador to Japan to retract the June 17 Letter and we protest against Israel's war crimes and tradition of impunity. The Ambassador provided an inaccurate justification for the hotel's request to cancel the reservation and spread a false impression, attempting to manipulate public opinion. It is outrageous for a foreign state to intervene in matters involving a private Japanese business inside Japan. Furthermore, we request the Ambassador to urge the Israeli government to immediately cease hostilities and comply with the advisory opinion of the ICJ (details below).

We wish to bring to your attention that a reservation request was made to Hotel Material by an individual considered to be associated with the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). The name of the individual was publicly listed on one of the world's largest business-oriented social networking platforms where the manager confirmed his career history before requesting the cancellation of the reservation. He explained that accepting such a reservation would put the hotel at risk of complicity to war crimes, due to ongoing heinous acts of war by the IDF in the Gaza Strip, which are considered to be war crimes. The cancellation was mutually agreed upon by both parties.

Regarding this matter, you sent a letter dated June 17th to the representative director of the operating company of the hotel located in Sakyo Ward, Kyoto City. In your letter, you asserted that the manager's actions constituted discrimination based on nationality and demanded the dismissal of the manager, as well as a formal apology.

We agree that discrimination based on nationality is unacceptable. However, considering that Gaza is under complete blockade and occupation by the IDF (under international law, an occupying force cannot claim "self-defense") and given the ongoing mass killings by the IDF, the manager explained the reasons for requesting a cancellation to the applicant, who did not dispute the explanation and agreed to the cancellation of the reservation. Consequently, the discursive accusation of nationality discrimination misrepresents the facts unilaterally and disingenuously works to conceal the war crimes committed by the IDF.

We believe that the manager's decision aligns with international humanitarian law and is based on humanitarian and ethical judgment, and we share this view with people worldwide who seek justice and peace.

In light of the above, we formally request the following actions with the undersigned:

1.  Retraction of the June 17th Letter: we request that you, as a diplomat who is expected to be knowledgeable about and to adhere to international law, retract your letter demanding the dismissal and apology of the employee.
2. Advocacy for Ceasefire: We urge you to advise the Israeli government to cease its erroneous war policies that violate international law and to make every effort towards an immediate ceasefire and peacebuilding.
3. Compliance with the advisory opinion of the ICJ: We urge you to advise the Israeli government to comply with the advisory opinion of the ICJ that the policy of occupation in Palestine is a violation of international law, specifically by immediately halting all new settlement activities, ordering all settlers to leave, and compensating for the damages caused by the occupation.

Now that the ICJ (in its advisory opinion) has recognized Israel as an apartheid state and confirmed that its occupation policies in Palestine are violations of international law, we strongly reiterate our call for an immediate ceasefire. At the same time, we raise our voices from Kyoto against the “established ‘tradition’ in the international community of extending impunity to Israel, whereby its actions are left unchallenged”*, as evidenced by the issue surrounding the reservation of IDF personnel in Kyoto.

*Mari Oka. "‘Both Sides Are to Blame’ and ‘Cycle of Violence’ Are Wrong… What’s Happening in Gaza Right Now That TV and Newspapers Don’t Tell You. From ‘What is Gaza? An Urgent Lecture to Understand Palestine’ #1." Bungeishunju, March 1, 2024. Bungei Shunju Online. https://bunshun.jp/articles/-/68966?page=4. Accessed August 18, 2024 (Only in Japanese).

Deadline:

September 28th, 2024.

About the Palestina no Heiwa wo Motomerukai:

The Palestina no Heiwa wo Motomerukai is a citizen group that seeks to end the genocide being carried out by Israel in Gaza and advocates for an immediate ceasefire. Since October of last year, the group has held weekly gatherings every Saturday in front of Kyoto City Hall, followed by a demonstration march down Kawaramachi Street, with around 200 participants each time.

 

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|-| We have another petition here too! |-|

Japanese govt! Act in accordance with international law as did the hotel manager in Kyoto!

https://www.change.org/palestina_no_heiwa_eng

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Reference Links for Those Who Want to Learn More About the Issue of IDF Personnel's Reservation at a Kyoto Hotel:

• Press Conference Record of Foreign Minister Kamikawa (Comment on " Discrimination against an Israeli Tourist to Japan," June 21, 2024, 11:35 AM), https://www.mofa.go.jp/press/kaiken/kaikenite_000001_00021.html#topic6. Accessed August 18, 2024.
• Israeli Embassy Protests to Kyoto Hotel for Refusing Israeli Guests Due to Gaza Invasion. Yomiuri Shimbun, June 21, 2024. Yomiuri Shimbun Online, https://www.yomiuri.co.jp/national/20240621-OYT1T50026/. Accessed August 18, 2024 (Only in Japanese).
• Kyoto hotel bars Israeli man over possible ties to Gaza operation. Asahi Shimbun, June 22, 2024. Asahi Shimbun Digital, https://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/15315897. Accessed August 18, 2024.
• Japanese hotel accused of canceling Israeli guest’s reservation because of 'war crimes'. CNN, June 24, 2024. CNN travel, https://edition.cnn.com/2024/06/24/travel/japanese-hotel-accused-canceling-israeli-guest-reservation-war-crimes-hnk/index.html. Accessed August 18, 2024.
• 'Zionist-free Zone': Israelis Are Increasingly Unwanted at Global Tourism Sites. Haaretz, 2024-07-15, Haaretz.com, https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2024-07-15/ty-article/.premium/zionist-free-zone-israelis-are-increasingly-unwanted-at-global-tourism-sites/00000190-b60f-d9f4-afd5-fe8fec740000. Accessed August 18, 2024.