SNA (Tokyo) – A group of Japanese and foreign activists and concerned citizens staged a “die-in” in Tokyo’s Yoyogi Park today to bring attention to the plight of the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip. This event is the latest in a series of related protests that have occurred in the Japanese capital since Israel launched “Operation Protective Edge,” a military campaign that took the lives of almost 2,000 Palestinians and injured more than 10,000 people, mostly civilians. Losses on the Israeli side were predominantly military personnel, with 64 soldiers reported killed.

For these protesters, the recent conflict appears to be a rather one-sided affair, with several signs demanding that Israel stop its “genocide” against the Palestinian people. Other signs appealed for non-violence, an end to war, and freedom for Gaza. In total about fifty people participated in the “Free Gaza Picnic.”

One man interviewed by the SNA said that in face of what was occurring, he felt that it was simply required that he raise his voice in protest.

A woman who participated in the protest commented, “What concerns me the most is that many children have been killed. Also, hospitals and schools, which are normally protected even in the midst of war, were targeted and destroyed.” She continued, “I have heard that the Japanese government has promised to provide weapons to Israel. However, what we should do is to end all economic support for Israel and demand that they end their attacks on Gaza.”

For breaking news, follow on Twitter @ShingetsuNews