We call for an end to the attacks on the Gaza Strip and an immediate ceasefire.

The October 7th, 2023 Hamas attack on Israel triggered a series of attacks by Israeli forces on the Gaza Strip. More than 10,000 civilians, including 4,000 children, have already died in Gaza. The killing of civilians and hostage-taking by Hamas violates international humanitarian law, which mandates the protection of civilians, and should be severely condemned. On the other hand, indiscriminate attacks on Gaza and killing of civilians for this reason are also in violation of international humanitarian law and are equally unacceptable. During this period, Israeli forces have attacked hospitals, schools, and even refugee camps. The Israeli government justifies its attacks on Gaza as an exercise of its right to self-defense. However, this is clearly a disproportionate use of force, and the fact that numerous civilians have been killed clearly demonstrates that it is not an exercise of the right of self-defense. It also endangers the lives of those being held hostage by Hamas.

On October 27th, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution calling for an “immediate, durable and sustained humanitarian truce” between Israeli forces and Hamas militants in Gaza. We call on all parties to abide by this resolution and immediately ceasefire. We also call on the governments of all countries to make every diplomatic effort to achieve a ceasefire. In particular, the Government of Japan, which abstained from voting for this resolution, must clearly demand that the Government of Israel cease its aggression.

The background of this issue is the unreasonable oppression of Palestine by Israel for many years. The international community has virtually overlooked this oppression. As a person living in our time, we are deeply ashamed of this.

This event has intensified hate against Jews and Muslims around the world. Religion is not the problem. The problem is that international law is not being observed, that colonialism has not yet been overcome, and that lives are being treated lightly. Many Jews have condemned the Israeli military attack on Gaza, saying, "Not in Our Name”.

In France and Germany, demonstrations in solidarity with Palestine have been banned. In Israel, university authorities have taken action against students and faculty members who have expressed messages of sympathy for the people of Gaza on social media. We are deeply concerned about such violations of freedom of expression and academic freedom.

November 13th, 2023

Faculty at Nagoya Gakuin University

Taro Abe

Kunihiko Ohishi

Minako Kamiyama

Natsuko Saeki

Masaaki Sakake

Makoto Nakajima

Kiyoshi Miyasaka

(As of November 30th, 2023)