INDONESIA: Anti-Israel rallies in Indonesia draw thousands fromwide spectrum

Protesters from a wide ideological and religious spectrum demonstrated in the Indonesian capital on Sunday (August 6) against Israeli actions in Lebanon, but a key rally in Jakarta drew far fewer participants than expected. The leader of Indonesia's second-largest Muslim group, Muhammadiyah, had spoken earlier of a million person march, but about only 5,000 took to the streets to hear speeches condemning Israel and the United States. However, the protest attracted not just Muslims but also senior Protestant, Catholic and Buddhist officials and members of various non-governmental organisations. "This is a fight for justice. This protest is not only by Muslims but from people from multi-faith and other religious groups, showing that this is a moral issue about justice," said Herius Nasir, one of the protesters at the rallies that moved from the capital's main traffic circle to the United Nations headquarters and ended at the U.S. embassy. Many participants wore headbands calling Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and U.S. President George W. Bush terrorists. Banners read "Go to hell Zionists", "Give a chance to Peace" and "To the U.S. Stop the Double Standard". Indonesia is the world's most populous Muslim nation, with some 85 percent of its 220 million people following the faith. Israel has been involved in military action in Lebanon since early July, when the militant Hizbollah group captured two Israeli soldiers and killed eight in a cross-border raid. Hizbollah has put up fierce resistance and fired 2,600 rockets into Israel. The conflict has killed at least 741 people in Lebanon and 78 Israelis. Indonesia has no diplomatic relations with Israel and historically has been a staunch supporter of the Palestinians.

ITN Source | August 6, 2006

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