Nagasaki marks 79th A-bomb anniversary as Israel snub overshadows ceremony

NAGASAKI (Kyodo) -- Nagasaki marked on Friday the 79th anniversary of the U.S. atomic bombing of the city during World War II, but its peace ceremony was hit by controversy after several ambassadors pulled out following the city's decision not to invite Israel.

In a Peace Declaration delivered during the annual event, Mayor Shiro Suzuki called for the abolition of nuclear weapons amid mounting concerns over their potential use during a time of increasing geopolitical uncertainty. He did not directly mention the Israel-Palestine conflict.