President lashes out at critics of Israel ties<\/p>\n
GARUT, West Java (JP): President Abdurrahman Wahid lashed back
\nat protesters who use religious scriptures to criticize him over
\ntopics such as opening trade ties with Israel, saying that they
\nthemselves were ignorant of Koranic teachings.<\/p>\n
"They have yet to truly comprehend, but they immediately go
\nmad about it," President Abdurrahman said.<\/p>\n
Abdurrahman said there was nothing in Islamic teaching which
\nforbade Muslims to cooperate with non-Muslims, while quoting
\nKoranic verses which described how the Prophet Muhammad also
\ninteracted with non-Muslim people in Medina.<\/p>\n
He made the remarks when speaking at the closing ceremony of
\nthe 2nd National Conference and Koranic Recital Festival (MTQ)
\nhere at Al Musaddadiyah Islamic boarding school.<\/p>\n
Just days after being elected president, Abdurrahman said he
\nwanted to open trade ties with Israel. The move sparked a public
\noutcry, with many fearing that it might lead to full diplomatic
\nrelations.<\/p>\n
However the government finally acquiesced and decided to
\npostpone the idea on Thursday.<\/p>\n
Separately in Jakarta, Foreign Minister Alwi Shihab said the
\ndecision to delay the move was to allow a period of
\nfamiliarization and to sell the idea to the general public.<\/p>\n
"I will be more than willing to have seminars or television
\ndiscussions to discuss the ties," Alwi said.<\/p>\n
He said he understood differing perceptions of the idea but
\nregretted the many protests which he said would only cause public
\nconfusion.<\/p>\n
Despite the government's decision to suspend the controversial
\nmove, protests in some cities continued.<\/p>\n
In Semarang, Central Java, about 100 women grouped under the
\nWomens Caring for the Nation Forum (FWPKB) marched to the
\nprovincial legislature in protest at the plan.<\/p>\n
"Such a plan must be dropped because up to now Israel still
\noccupies Palestinian land and restricts Palestinians rights," Mia
\nInaryati Rahmania, the rally coordinator, said.<\/p>\n
The group said opening relationships with Israel would give
\nthe Jewish country more legitimacy in its claim over the land
\nbelonging to Palestinians. (04\/43\/emf\/har)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/president-lashes-out-at-critics-of-israel-ties-1447893297",
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