[Kabar-indonesia] Bashir: Indonesia Holy Warriors Should Go To Israel [+RI condemns offensive]

[Joyo at aol.com]

also: JP: Indonesia condemns Israeli offensive

Associated Press 
July 3, 2006 

Muslim Cleric:Indonesia Holy Warriors Should Go To Israel

JAKARTA (AP)--A reputed leader of an al-Qaida-linked terror group said Monday 
that Indonesia should send Islamic holy warriors to Israel to punish it for 
unleashing airstrikes in Palestinian territories.

"Israel is the enemy of Allah," militant cleric Abu Bakar Bashir told 
hundreds of members of the Muslim-based Crescent Star Party in the capital Jakarta. 
"That is why Indonesia should send holy warriors there."

Bashir, who recently completed a 26-month jail term for conspiracy in the 
2002 Bali bombings that left 202 dead, spoke as Israel massed tanks and troops 
along Gaza's northern border. That followed a weekend of escalating violence in 
Palestinian territories, triggered by the capture of an Israeli soldier.

The United States and Australia allege that Bashir is a key leader in the 
al-Qaida-linked militant group Jemaah Islamiyah, blamed for a string of bloody 
bombings across Indonesia since 2000.

His release from prison last month raised concerns that he would energize 
Indonesia's small, Islamic radical fringe by making impassioned speeches at 
rallies and mosques. 

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The Jakarta Post 
Monday, July 3, 2006

Indonesia condemns Israeli offensive

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

The government and Muslim groups have condemned Israel's ongoing military 
operation in Gaza and demanded the release of arrested Palestinian officials.

Thousands of Muslims massed Sunday in front of the U.S. Embassy in Central 
Jakarta to support the Palestinian people and denounce the latest deadly 
offensive by Israeli troops against them.

The protesters, mobilized by the Islamist Prosperous Justice Party (PKS), 
also shouted anti-American slogans as they accused Israeli troops of committing 
human rights violations.

They gathered at the capital's main Istiqlal mosque before heading to the 
U.S. Embassy. Many on the one-kilometer march waved the Palestinian flag and wore 
the party's white T-shirt with black and yellow logo, while others donned 
black headbands.

One banner said, "Solidarity for the independent people of the Palestine," 
while another poster said: "The real terrorist is Zionist Israel". Others also 
accused the U.S. of terrorism and bias in favor of Tel Aviv.

On Saturday, the Indonesian government issued a statement saying the Israeli 
operation was unlawful and excessive.

"The use of excessive military force and the demolition of civilian 
installations by Israel that have caused widespread human impacts are clearly against 
international laws," the statement said.

"The Indonesian government calls for the aggression and the violence to be 
ended and the arrested Palestinian officials released soon."

Indonesia also urged both sides to return to using dialog and negotiations as 
the way to resolving the long-standing Middle East conflict.

The PKS leader called on the United Nations and Washington to pressure Israel 
into ending its action.

"This is a violation of the sovereignty of the Palestinian people," Tifatul 
Sembiring was quoted as saying by AP, demanding sanctions against Israel for 
"gross human right violations by the Israeli soldiers".

Later, protesters "stoned" a series of wooden pillars, representing the 
United States and Israel, with wads of tissue paper. It was supposed to symbolize 
the pebble-throwing ritual, known as the stone of the devil, carried out each 
year by Muslim pilgrims in Mecca, Saudi Arabia.

Picture of the United States flag and U.S. President George W. Bush were 
pasted on top of the replicas.

Scores of policemen stood on standby between the demonstrators and the 
embassy fence, while embassy security forces were also on guard behind the barrier.

Central Jakarta Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Bambang Hermanu was quoted by AFP 
as saying about 500 police personnel were deployed in and around the site of 
the protest.

After an hour of peaceful demonstration, the protesters moved their rally to 
the United Nations mission on a main avenue another one kilometer away, before 
planning to disband.

PKS is a fledgling party that has drawn enormous support among urban Muslims. 
It advocates clean government and respect for Islamic laws and teachings 
within the secular republic.

Indonesia, the world's most populous Muslim nation, is a staunch supporter of 
the Palestinian struggle for nationhood and has no diplomatic relations with 
Israel. 

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Joyo Indonesia News Service
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