Protests over Israeli attack mount in Indonesia
Palestine-Indonesia, Politics, 10/6/2000

Politicians, students and diplomats in Indonesia condemned on Friday the "barbaric" attacks launched by Israeli troops against Palestinian protesters in Al-Quds (Jerusalem).

Indonesian news agency "ANTARA" reports that hundreds of university students gathered in front of the United Nations office in the capital city chanting anti-US and anti-Israeli slogans and urging the UN to sanction the killing of some 76 people, including children, by Israeli troops.

Meanwhile, thousands of Moslems performed the "ghaib" prayer at the Istiqlal mosque in Central Jakarta.

At the Al-Azhar Mosque, members of the Justice Party organized a protest as soon as they finished performing Friday prayers. Justice Party secretary general, Imam Nugraha, and a number of ulemas and Muslim figures gathered at the mosque to express solidarity with the victims.

According to ANTARA, another Islam-based party, the Crescent and Star Party issued a statement regretting the attacks and calling the UN to take stern measures to bring the provocateur of the attacks --Israeli opposition leader, Ariel Sharon -- before an international tribunal.

The party also slammed the hypocrisy of the US and its allies for applying double standard in observing human rights.

The party also called the government to refrain from establishing any relations with the state of Israel.

Indonesian President Abdurrahman Wahid, on his way from Santiago, Chile to Ottawa, Canada last Sunday (Oct 1), said in an airborne press conference that Indonesia regretted the unholy visit by Sharon to the sacred Al-Aqsa Mosque that led to the Israeli troops' violence.

The parliament speaker, Amien Rais, was quoted as saying that he strongly rejects any plan to set up diplomatic ties and trade relations between Indonesia and Israel.

In New York, Indonesia's Permanent Representative to the UN, Makarim Wibisono, said the attacks are a breach to human rights and demanded an immediate cessation of the brutal and criminal actions.

Previous Stories:
  Al-Quds Judaization does not serve peace, King Mohammed VI says   (2/14/2000)
  Indonesian president voices backing for the Palestinians   (12/9/1999)
  Arafat in Jordan   (11/24/1999)

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