Saturday 3^rd August PSC Rally

I was asked to make mention of Hiroshima Day on Tuesday 6^th August, when the first atomic bomb was dropped over the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki by the United States, in the final year of World War II.

The first bomb (uranium gun type named ‘Little Boy’)was dropped on Hiroshima on August 6, 1945, and after three days, the second bomb ( a plutonium implosion type named ‘Fat Man’) was dropped on Nagasaki on August 9, 1945. The bombings killed between 129,000 and 226,000 people, around half immediately, many in the ensuing months. These bombs utterly destroyed the infrastructure of both cities. The Allied leaders had demanded the unconditional surrender of the Imperial Japanese armed forces and whilst the Japanese were presented with an ultimatum, there was no mention of atomic bombardment.

These bombs utterly decimated the infrastructure of both cities. Japanese officials stated that around 70 percent of the buildings in Hiroshima were destroyed. Left with no choice, Japan surrendered to the Allies on August 15. The instrument of surrender was signed on September 2, which signalled the end of World War II. However, the residents of Hiroshima continued to suffer health problems years after due to long-term radiation exposure.

What lessons have we learned from this? What lessons have we learned?

Today, we are here to promote peace politics of a different war. One which has claimed the lives of an estimated 185,000 people and injured half that number again, most of these women and children. We are here calling for a permanent ceasefire now, and to end the UK’s complicity in the supply of arms to Israel.

In recent weeks the genocide has escalated in Gaza, the West Bank and East Jerusalem. These people will not be suffering from long-term radiation exposure, but long term trauma and the scalding of a very different type of burn; that of apartheid, occupation, demolitions, displacement, torture and genocide.

The recent killing of Hezbollah and Hamas leaders is a major blow to ceasefire negotiations. The retaliative death of Ismael Haniyeh this week, particularly, as this man was integral to the negotiation process with Hamas. This was not lost on the Netanyahu government, who it seems, are intent on extending war in the Middle East. Recent Israeli strikes on Beirut has shattered diplomatic relations

and thousands of paramilitary forces are on high alert in Iraq and Syria as Israeli officials call for war on Lebanon. Yet Netanyahu has been given a state welcome from the US, as he begets continuing military support for whatever comes next.

What lessons have we learnt?

Thank you for listening. FREE PALESTINE