Tens of thousands of people joined a demonstration, dubbed as the "action
of one million believers", in front of the U.S. Embassy in Jakarta, capital of
Indonesia, on Sunday, in protest against the ongoing Israeli military aggression
into Palestine and Lebanon.
In the rally, the demonstrators representing the United Indonesian People for
Peace (RIB-UP), the Prosperous Justice Party(PKS), and some non-governmental
organizations (NGOs) such as the Indonesian Environmental Vehicle (Walhi), Gema
Nusa, as well as some student association groups denounced Israel's military
actions.
The rally also caused traffic jam on some streets where the protesters passed
by in a move to show their solidarity toward the people of Palestine and
Lebanon. Many policemen were mobilized to stand on guard to secure the street
rally.
On the occasion, Amidhan, in his capacity as chairman of the Indonesian
Ulemas Council, Indonesia's highest Muslim cleric group said Israel should be
brought to the International Court of Justice, and to be charged of having
violated the human rights.
"Justice should be taken against Israel through the International Court of
Justice on account of having killed many children and women in their brutal
attack to civilian targets," Amidhan said.
Din Syamsuddin, chairman of Indonesia's second-largest Islamic organization
Muhammadiyah who also led the Jakarta street rally, said: "This is a rally of a
peace-loving country that always promotes peace and condemns any form of
violence."
On Saturday, a group of 200 men calling themselves members of the "Jihad
Bombers Force" (PBJ) in Pontianak, West Kalimantan, claimed that they are ready
to leave for Palestine and Lebanon to paralyze Israel's vital facilities if the
latter fails to abide by a 4 x 24-hour deadline.
"We give Israel 4 x 24 hours as of now to stop its military aggression
against Palestine and Lebanon. If this ultimatum is ignored, we will not be
responsible for the 200 voluntary jihad bombers who are going to leave for the
two Middle East countries," Indonesian Human Rights spokesman Suib Didu.
The announcement came although the Indonesian government has warned its
citizens against volunteering to join the conflict. The government has offered
to contribute troops to any UN-led peacekeeping force that may be deployed in
the region.
