Jihadists the last thing Gaza needs: Minister

Tony Hotland and Abdul Khalik ,  The Jakarta Post ,  Jakarta   |  Wed, 01/07/2009 7:32 AM  |  Headlines

The government maintained Tuesday its stance of refusing to send Indonesian troops to the Gaza Strip despite mounting pressure from some Islamic groups to dispatch jihadists to the besieged Middle Eastern spot.

The Foreign Ministry said sending jihadists to Gaza to help Hamas fight Israel would not improve the situation, adding there were much more effective avenues Indonesia could take to help diffuse the situation.

A number of Islamic hardline groups, including the Islam Defenders Front (FPI) and Hizbut Tahrir Indonesia (HTI), have said they wish to send volunteers to Gaza under the banner of jihad and have called on the government to support them.

“Is conducting a jihad effective? We must ask Gaza if that’s what they need, and most probably they (don’t). There are other more effective ways to help ... So far, sending jihadists isn’t an option,” Foreign Minister Hassan Wirayuda said.

AFP reported Tuesday that the 11-day-old Israeli offensive in the Gaza Strip had claimed the lives of at least 635 Palestinians and wounded 2,900 more.

The toll shot up Tuesday when Israeli fire hit three schools, killing at least 45 people.

Speaking in his annual statement to the press, Hassan said what Gaza needed most was medicine and medical assistance.

“We are looking at the possibility of sending medical workers to field hospitals in the Egypt area of Sinai, which borders with Gaza. We’re awaiting clearance from Egypt, and the President has instructed the health minister to collect volunteers,” Hassan said.

Despite agreeing that the Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip had nothing to do with religion, Islamic groups in Jakarta have hyped up the conflict between the two religious groups, paving the way for the Islamic-based Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) and other Islamic groups to seize the momentum ahead of the April elections.

Observers on Tuesday criticized nationalist parties for not shouting down calls by Islam groups to send volunteers to the war, which was defined by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono on Monday as a clash over the sovereignty of territory between Palestine and Israel, and not a religious matter.

“The nationalist groups should be more active in voicing their stance as Indonesia’s voice will be much more strong if the (the world) considers it to represent a pluralist Indonesia rather than only Islam,” University of Indonesia international relations expert Hariyadi Wirawan said.

He said a pluralist Indonesia would attract more sympathy from major non-Muslim countries, such as members of the European Union (EU), as well as powerful human rights groups world wide that see the attacks as a territory dispute and a human rights tragedy rather than an attack against Islam.

PKS, the FPI and HTI seized the spotlight immediately after Israeli began the attacks when the groups gathered thousands of supporters in Jakarta and other big cities in the country to rally against Israel and the US.

Other political parties and nationalist groups did not take part in the rallies, and media coverage has refused to voice their stance on the conflict.

Comments (30)  |   Post comment
A  |   A  |   A  |   Mail to a friend  |  Printer Friendly Version |  Digg it!  |  Add to Del.icio.us!  |  Add to Reddit!  |  Stumble it!   |  Share on facebook  

Iain — Sun, 01/11/2009 - 9:08am

Budi, you are just repeating what des pledger said, and I have already responded to it. Des pledger claims, as do you, that Israel must recognise Palestine (and other conditions) before Indonesia and Malaysia will recognise it. You, and des pledger, seem to think Israel needs or wants the recognition from Indonesia (a sort of arrogant feeling of self-importance). Hence my response, Israel most likely does not care whether it has a relationship with countries like Indonesian and Malaysia, especially when they are unable to look at the Palestine/Israel situation fairly and balanced.

Indonesia has said it wants the violence to stop. If Indonesia wants Israel to listen to its calls to stop violence then the first thing it can do is create diplomatic relations with Israel. Otherwise, when someone says "Oh, btw, Indonesia wants you to stop the violence" their response will be "Indonesia? Who are Indonesia?"

So, fine, you don't want to recognise Israel, then life will just go on just as it is now, and your calls and complaints are just wasting your breath. And Israel is quite happy with that. Quite happy it doesn't have to deal with diplomats from 2nd rate politically motivated and reactive governments like Indonesia and Malaysia.

No, I am not pro-israeli regardless of its atrocities. Are you anti-israeli regardless of Palestinian atrocities?

Argun — Fri, 01/09/2009 - 8:48pm

I strongly suggest that Indonesia, Malaysia and other Muslim countries do not have diplomatic ties with the occupiers of Palestinian land. A diplomatic tie means they have the right to exist. It is an illegal occupation. Trade naturally resumes after sometime maybe it may not for many years. How ever Qatar has had low-level diplomatic ties for 11 years or so. Many are doing business with the occupiers indirectly.

Yesterday America was powerful today it is seeking money from the same Muslims who they have waged war against. Occupiers of Palestinian are worried that American tax money, which headed their way, is slowing so it has to look at other options. The region they occupy is full of money so they are looking for ways of reaching out to these governments. Although they have their men women (need them to screw the victim to accept their terms) in governments to make sure they get their money. Did you know that the occupiers sell weapons of mass destruction to the world and they are apparently the world’s second suppliers?

Turkey has diplomatic ties but how effective have they been in stopping the crime against humanity. Mossad who work for the occupiers have unsuccessfully launched its attack on turkey – telling Turkey from the occupation to shut it. Other repressive rulers in the region have ties with the occupiers but have you seen how effective have they been. Abbas was the occupiers little baby but he achieved nothing. He was doing the occupiers work of eliminating his own now the occupiers are doing the job he told was doing. Even with diplomatic ties Qatar was not able to send humanitarian relief. Only Algazeera is allowed in but with limited access. So far the occupiers have always dictated terms, which the Muslims have to accept.

West has planted this mess and they want this shitty little occupation to stay far away from them as possible.

As for other countries you have mentioned well I am not going to waste my time on them. Though I do have fond memories of Egypt.
Now what the non-Muslims hate are jihadis. They have been setting up puppets in Muslim world to deal with the ‘real Muslim” men. Remember Abbas and hosni.

So diplomatic ties does not work.

Iain — Fri, 01/09/2009 - 4:49pm

For those here who would like to consider themselves un-biased and realistic in the latest violence in Israel/Palestine... read the article from the the link below and tell me if you agree with it.

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,24889002-7583,00.html

Iain — Fri, 01/09/2009 - 1:44pm

Mikhail, ever heard of the 6 day war?

Iain — Fri, 01/09/2009 - 1:48pm

Isreal does not need or actively seek diplomatic relations with either Malaysia or Indonesia. Indonesian citizens can enter Israel for tourism already... and many do every year.

The point is, Indonesia wants to be heard, Indonesia wants changes in Palestine. If it wants to be heard, if it wants to help the Palestinians, the it will have to open diplomatic relations with Israel and then they will start listening.

Just like Egypt, Jordan and Turkey.

Rapha200 — Thu, 01/08/2009 - 2:49pm

the true is that nobody cares about what happens over there, look at the reactions of all muslims country.

immediate neighbors:
egypt: prefer to be in peace with israel
jordania: the same
hezbolla: still did not attack israel because prefer to become the political party in Lebanon and/or wait for the green start of Iran that does not seem in hurry to give it.
syria: seems to be more interested by a peace with israel these last years than by a war. we remember indirect discussions through Turkey.

and the other muslim countries.
few officials declaration going in the same way as their public opinion and what? nothing no action only words; the most active countries to stop the war are Europe and Egypt.

nobody really cares about what happens over there.

Iain — Fri, 01/09/2009 - 1:32am

What makes you claim Islam to be the "religion of peace"?

Iain — Wed, 01/07/2009 - 6:17pm

Since when has the Palestinian leadership worked with Israel?

Iain — Wed, 01/07/2009 - 2:38pm

King, why weren't your reasons for jihad used against the governments of Sudan and Russia?

123next ›last »

What's On

more
more
more