RI CALLS FOR REDOUBLED EFFORTS TO END ISRAELI OCCUPATION By Fardah

Jakarta, June 7, 2010 (ANTARA) - Amid the global outrage following the Israeli attack on the Mavi Marmara of the Gaza-bound Freedom Flotilla, the Indonesian government has called for redoubled efforts to end the Israeli occupation of Palestine.

Redoubled efforts were necessary to ensure that "we speak with one voice in demanding that Israel, immediately and without delay, lift its illegal blockade of the Gaza Strip, its occupation of Palestine, which has caused a deep humanitarian crisis," Indonesian Foreign Affairs Minister Marty Natalegawa said in his speech at the expanded extraordinary meeting of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) Executive Committee in Jidda on Sunday (June 6).

Besides, it was also necessary to ensure that Israel immediately ceases all acts in violation of international law and the resolutions of the UN Security Council, including the building of illegal settlements in Occupied Palestine, he said.

"Yet Indonesia deems it important that we proceed beyond mere condemnation. Expressions of condemnation do not in themselves make for a policy," the minister said.

The OIC ministerial-level meeting was organized in response to the Israeli attack on humanitarian aid carrying ship Mavi Marmara last May 31, in which nine volunteers were shot dead and tens of others injured.

"Indonesia has been quick and crystal clear in expressing its condemnation," he said, adding that the country`s representatives had expressed the condemnation at global level, such as in the Security Council of the United Nations and, the United Nations Human Rights Council.

Inside Indonesia, like in many other countries since the Israeli attack on the Freedom Flotilla to Gaza, a number of rallies condemning Israel have been staged in several regions over the past one week.

On Sunday (June 6), anti-Israel demonstrations were held among other things in Bogor (West Java), and Yogyakarta (Central Java). In Padang (West Sumatra), a fund raising campaign was organized for Palestine.

In Bogor, more than 5,000 people from several Muslim organizations such as Hizbut Tahrir Indonesia (HTI), HASMI (Harakah Sunniyyah for Muslim Community), and FPI (Islam Defenders` Front), expressed their support for Palestine and condemnation of Israel.

Rokim Abdul Karim, chairman of the Bogor chapter of HTI, said Israel acted in a barbaric way by attacking unarmed volunteers on the flotilla. Israel must be confronted not only by demonstrations, but also by war, he said, urging the Indonesian government to send soldiers to Gaza.

He said the United Nations (UN) could not be relied on to control Israel because the UN was a tool of the US to control the world. The only way to fight Israel was by war as agreements and resolutions were useless, he said.

Meanwhile, in Yogyakarta, around 1,000 members of Hizbut Tahrir (HTI) also staged a rally.

"We condemn strongly the brutal attack which violated human rights," Rosyid Supriyadi, chairman of the Yogyakarta chapter of HTI, said. He called on the leaders of all Muslim-majority countries to unite and stop the Israeli aggression against Palestine.

Earlier, on June 4, protesters, including university students and journalists, hit streets in Makassar (South Sulawesi), Kendari (Southeast Sulawesi), Tanjungpinang (Riau Islands Province), Bandung (West Java), Jakarta, and Kudus (Central Java), where they carried banners which read "Save Palestine", "Wipe Out Israel", "Israel - Blind, Deaf, Mute", and "Israel is the Real Terrorist".

In Kendari, rally coordinator Eko Irwanto urged the Indonesian government and other Muslim majority countries to send troops to fight the brutal Israelis.

Last Wednesday (June 2), demonstrations, mostly joined by university students and some by provincial governors, also happened in Mataram (West Nusa Tenggara), Bandung (West Java), Semarang (Central Java), Surakarta (Central Java), Sukabumi (West Java), Sampang (East Java), and the national capital of Jakarta.

In Jakarta, some 100 people staged a demonstration at the HI traffic circle. They carried banners saying among other things "Gaza Blockade = Mass Murder" and "Israel is The Real Terrorist". `

In front of the UN representative office in Central Jakarta, about 100 members of the Islamic Unity Family (Persis) group deplored the United Nations for failing to take firm action against Israel. Hundreds of people, including women, also targeted the US embassy to protest the assault by Israel, a US ally, on the Freedom Flotilla.

In Bandung, members of the Indonesian Muslim University Student Association (HMI) of West Java, condemned the Israeli violence, and they burned Israel`s flag. The students also carried banners which read among other things: "Israel Go To Hell", "Israel, The Real Terrorist."

In Sampang, Madura Island, East Java Province, tens of journalists and members of the Sampang regional legislative council (DPRD), protested against the Jewish forces.

"We consider the Israeli attack as a gross human rights violation, and they should be severely punished," Fuadi, a reporter of JTV said in during the protest in Sampang.

In Sukabumi, West Java, tens of students stepped on a Israeli flag made of cartoon, to protest the Jewish state.

Hendi Hidayatulloh, a rally spokesman, said the Indonesian government must pressure Israel to lift the blockade of Gaza as it had caused Gaza`s people to starve.

In Semarang, Central Java, university students also held a rally carrying posters and banners which read "Save Palestine, Israel is barbaric", "the Grief of Palestinians is the Grief of Muslims all Over the World", and "Jews, Go To Hell".

The students mostly carrying Palestinian flags, urged the people to boycott Israeli products and demanded the Indonesian Government to proactively call on the international world to bring Israel to the International Court.

A day after the Israeli assault on the flotilla, demonstrations condemning the attack were reported in cities like Jakarta, Bogor, and Samarinda (East Kalimantan).

Some Indonesian religious leaders also issued a strong statement in Jakarta.

"We condemn the attack on an unarmed civilian humanitarian aid ship convoy in international waters by Israeli forces two days ago when the ships were about to reach Gaza," said Din Syamsuddin, chairman of the second largest Muslim organization, Muhammadiyah, last Tuesday (June 1).

Similar sentiments were also voiced by leaders of other religious communities , including Pastor Benny Susetyo of the Catholic faith , Nyoman Udayana Sangging of the Hindu community, Drs.Rusli SH.MM of the Buddhist society.

Pastor Benny also said: "The most important thing is not for the world community to condemn Israel, but to end the violence there. Therefore, Israel should be tried in an international court."

Of 12 Indonesian nationals on board of the six-ship convoy loading 10,000 tonnes of humanitarian aid to Gaza, two, including a journalist, were injured after being shot by Israeli soldiers.

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono in Bengkulu (Sumatra) last weekend, said Indonesia strongly rejected any party`s inhumane and unjust acts against the Palestinian people.

"I wish to reaffirm here that our country will keep pushing for the creation of peace in the Middle East. We firmly reject any party`s inhuman or unjust acts against the people of Palestine," he said.

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(T.F001/A/F001/A/H-YH) 07-06-2010 19:16:48