Activists, Muslim organizations rally against Israel

For Palestine: Muslim students display a large Palestinian flag during a rally against Israel's deadly commando raid on ships taking humanitarian aid to the blockaded Gaza Strip in Jakarta on Tuesday. A total of 12 Indonesians were on board the Mavi Marmara ship when Israeli commandos attacked it. (AP/Dita Alangkara)

Pro-Palestinian activists rallied in several parts of Jakarta on Tuesday, condemning Israel's deadly commando attack on ships taking humanitarian aid to the blockaded Gaza Strip, killing at least nine activists.

Hundreds of people gathered at the Hotel Indonesia traffic circle in Central Jakarta on Tuesday morning, displaying Indonesian and Palestinian flags.

They held a banner that reads "Don't stop humanitarian aid to Palestine." They called on the United Nations to punish Israel for the attack.

Pro-Palestinian activists also rallied in front of the US Embassy on Jl. Merdeka Selatan, Central Jakarta.

A total of 12 Indonesians were onboard the Mavi Marmara when Israeli commandos attacked it. Their fate is not yet known.

A number of Muslim organizations, including the country's largest Muslim organization Nahdlatul Ulama, have condemned the Israeli attack.

"Nahdlatul Ulama from the beginning has opposed the use of violence in solving any problems. This attack will destroy the peace process," NU chairman Said Aqil Siradj said on Monday.

Muslim-based United Development Party (PPP) also condemned Israeli’s attack on the humanitarian mission for the conflict in Gaza.

“This attack confirms that Israel is an anti-humanity and anti-peace nation,” PPP Deputy Secretary-General Muhammad Romahurmuziy told The Jakarta Post via email Monday.

“The PPP demand the government, in this case the Foreign Ministry, take any bilateral or multilateral approach to ensure the safety of Indonesian citizens who are aboard the Mavi Marmara,” he added.