“Blinken go home": Tokyo protesters rally against US policy on Gaza

Pro-Palestine demo erupted during Blinken's visit, reflecting growing global opposition to US stance on Gaza offensive

TOKYO:

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken was met with pro-Palestine demonstrations during his visit to Tokyo for meetings with Japanese officials, according to various videos and photos shared on social media on Sunday.

Videos and photos shared on social media showed protesters chanting slogans such as “Blinken go home… Free, free, free, free Palestine,” criticising the US role in the Israeli conflict with Gaza.

The protest coincided with the "2+2" meeting in Tokyo, where Japanese Foreign Minister Kamikawa Yoko and Defence Minister Kihara Minoru hosted Blinken and US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin.

Video footage from @AkimotoThn on X displayed protesters voicing pro-Palestine slogans and holding placards against Blinken's presence. Another activist, @kojiskojis, noted that the protesters attempted to gather outside the Iikura Guest House, the meeting venue for the US and Japanese officials.

However, police prevented the demonstrators from approaching the location.

Placards seen in the protest included messages such as “Blinken shame on you; Stop Gaza genocide,” according to @kojiskojis, a representative of the Network Against Arms Trade (NAJAT).

These demonstrations in Tokyo are part of a broader wave of global protests against US policies amidst the ongoing conflict in Gaza.

Singapore’s defence chief, Ng Eng Hen, recently remarked that the Israeli war on Gaza has led to a decline in US support among young people, highlighting a significant shift in global perception.

Writer Tim Shorrock, based in Washington, expressed approval of the Tokyo protests on X, stating, “Love to see this. They know Little Tony is no ally,” while sharing a video of the demonstrations.

Despite a UN Security Council resolution calling for an immediate cease-fire, Israel's offensive on Gaza, which began following an October 7 attack by Hamas – Palestinian resistance group, has faced widespread international condemnation.

Local health authorities report that over 39,300 Palestinians, predominantly women and children, have been killed, and more than 90,800 injured. The Israeli onslaught, now in its ninth month, has left Gaza in ruins, exacerbated by a severe blockade restricting access to food, clean water, and medicine.

Israel faces accusations of genocide at the International Court of Justice, which recently ordered it to halt military operations in Rafah, where over 1 million Palestinians had sought refuge before the area was invaded on May 6. The continuing conflict has drawn intense scrutiny and criticism from the international community.