RI condemns Israli attacks on Palestine<\/p>\n
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
The government of Indonesia condemned on Monday Israel's
\ncrackdown in the Palestinian territories, saying the military
\naction had endangered not only the life of President Yasser
\nArafat but also the future of the peace process in the Middle
\nEast.<\/p>\n
Security minister Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, on behalf of the
\nMinister of Foreign Affairs, announced on Monday evening the
\ngovernment's condemnation of the Israeli attacks on Ramallah
\nafter consulting President Megawati Soekarnoputri and incumbent
\nforeign minister Hassan Wirayuda, both of whom are currently in
\nIndia on an official visit, as well as Vice President Hamzah Haz.<\/p>\n
\"Israel is held responsible for the safety of Palestinian
\nleader Arafat. Indonesia underscores the key role of Arafat in
\nthe peace process in the Middle East and rejects the latest
\nattempt by Israel to deny Arafat's role,\" Susilo said.<\/p>\n
Indonesia, Susilo said, insisted that a comprehensive and fair
\npeace process required the implementation of UN Security Council
\nResolutions No. 242 and 338, plus other relevant resolutions, and
\nthe recognition of the \"land for peace\" principle.<\/p>\n
The government, Susilo added, called for a UN initiative and
\nthe use of diplomatic moves to make the peace talks resume.<\/p>\n
Earlier in the day Susilo, who is the Coordinating Minister
\nfor Political and Security Affairs, called an impromptu meeting
\non Israel's attacks on Palestine territories.<\/p>\n
The special meeting was attended by State Intelligence Agency
\n(BIN) Chief Hendropriyono, Minister of Defense Matori Abdul
\nDjalil and foreign affairs ministry spokesman Marty Natalegawa.<\/p>\n
Marty said that the meeting centered around Indonesia's
\ndisapproval of Israel's attack on Palestine, as had been earlier
\nby stated by foreign minister Hassan Wirayuda.<\/p>\n
Susilo said there were clear indications that Israel was not
\nacting in accordance with the resolution issued by the UN
\nSecurity Council, which suggested the removal of Israeli forces
\nfrom Palestine.<\/p>\n
\"I personally am of the opinion ... isn't it time for the UN
\nto intervene? The UN has peacekeeping forces and it has the
\nability to put a stop to this violence,\" Susilo told reporters
\nafter a seminar on an anti-terrorism bill here.<\/p>\n
Foreign ministers from the Organization of the Islamic
\nConference (OIC) meeting in Malaysia to discuss the root causes
\nof global terrorism as Israel sent fresh tanks to the West Bank,
\nurged the UN to give Palestinians international protection.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Islamic parties and organizations condemned the
\nlatest attack on Palestine, and accused Israel of dragging the
\nMiddle East into an absolute war.<\/p>\n
The Indonesian Ulemas Council (MUI) also demanded that Israeli
\nPrime Minister Ariel Sharon be brought to the international human
\nrights tribunal as a \"war criminal and a criminal who has
\ncommitted gross human rights violations.\"<\/p>\n
The statement was jointly signed by MUI chief Nazri Adlani and
\nMUI secretary-general Din Syamsuddin at the MUI office, located
\nat the Istiqlal mosque. It was also signed by representatives of
\nseveral Muslim organizations, including the Association of
\nIslamic Students (HMI), Islamic Defenders Front (FPI) and Islamic
\nYouth Movement (GPI).<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/ri-condemns-israli-attacks-on-palestine-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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