RI anger grows at Israeli attacks

The Jakarta Post ,  Jakarta   |  Sat, 07/15/2006 4:59 PM

Kurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

The government and the public have denounced the loss of civilian life from the Israeli military offensive in Lebanon and Palestine, and urged the UN to help end the worsening conflict.

Foreign Minister Hassan Wirayuda appealed to all sides to return to the road map for peace and to settle problems through dialog and negotiation.

""We condemn the military actions that have killed many innocent civilians,"" he said after a meeting Friday with his Ecuadorean counterpart Francisco Carrion at the Foreign Ministry in Jakarta.

""We urge the UN Security Council, in line with its mandate to maintain peace and security, to make an extra effort for dialog and negotiations.""

In Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono called on Tel Aviv to desist from further attacks.

""Indonesia urges Israel to stop its military actions,"" he was quoted as saying by Antara newswire during an impromptu press conference after inaugurating several new schools in Bireuen, an area hard hit by the 2004 tsunami.

""The UN and the international community must take concrete actions to prevent the escalation of the armed conflict.""

The President said he hoped the humanitarian aid would continue to reach Palestinians despite the Israeli attacks.

Meanwhile, hundreds of students in Bandung, West Java, took to the streets to condemn Israeli aggression. They urged the government to pressure the UN to send a peacekeeping force to the Middle East.

The students, representing several organizations, called for a boycott of Israeli products by Muslim communities. Wearing white headbands with the message ""Save Palestine"", some students burned the picture of U.S. President George W. Bush, who they said supported Israeli military actions.

The Indonesian Muslim Brotherhood (Parmusi) in Jakarta also condemned the Israeli offensive, saying it was tantamount to a terrorist act and military arrogance.

The organization also condemned the United States for its support of Israel, because it ""contradicted the values of humanity and erodes the effort to bring peace"".

Hundreds of members of the Forum for the Communication of Mosque Activists (FKAM) in Surakarta, Central Java, set an Israeli flag on fire during a protest, Antara reported.

Rally coordinator Ahmad Fuad said the military offensive on Palestine displayed Israel's arrogance.

""The offensive not only hurts the sense of humanity and justice, but also violates human rights and threatens world peace,"" he said.

The protesters urged the government to take part in bringing peace to the Middle East. ""The UN and the Muslim world must help the Palestinians,"" Ahmad said. Related story on Page 3

With additional reporting by Yuli Tri Suwarni from Bandung

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