TheJakartaPost
Please Update your browser
Your browser is out of date, and may not be compatible with our website. A list of the most popular web browsers can be found below.
Just click on the icons to get to the download page.
Anies attends rally for Palestinian independence
Change Size
Protesters wave Palestinian flags on Friday at a rally against the United States’ recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. (Antara/Hafidz Mubarak A)
J
akarta Governor Anies Baswedan has attended a rally in Jakarta in protest over the planned relocation of the United States Embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.
The Aksi Indonesia Bebaskan Baitul Maqdis (Indonesian Action for the Liberation of Jerusalem) was held at the National Monument (Monas) Park in Central Jakarta on Friday.
The protesters, who were of all age groups and filled up to a quarter of Monas Square, were organized under the so-called 212 Alumni group, in reference to people who had rallied last December against then-Jakarta governor Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama, including the Islam Defenders Front (FPI) and the Islam Defenders Troops (LPI).
“This National Monument Park, which used to be called Ikada Park, was the meeting place of the Indonesian people and our founding fathers right after our independence. Today, Jakarta is proud that [the protesters] stressed that Palestine, too, wants to be independent,” Anies told reporters after a mass Friday prayer at Monas, which he attended.
“It is clear that the crowds gathered at Monas today want to send a message to the world that Indonesia is consistent in supporting the Palestinian struggle of independence,” Anies said.
He said the Indonesian people supported the diplomatic efforts by the Indonesian government to support the cause of the Palestinians.
Analysts have argued that Anies Baswedan won the governorship of Jakarta in May owed to Muslim voters, who - mobilized by identity politics - decided to throw their support behind Anies. (ami)
