President lashes out at critics of Israel ties

GARUT, West Java (JP): President Abdurrahman Wahid lashed back at protesters who use religious scriptures to criticize him over topics such as opening trade ties with Israel, saying that they themselves were ignorant of Koranic teachings.

"They have yet to truly comprehend, but they immediately go mad about it," President Abdurrahman said.

Abdurrahman said there was nothing in Islamic teaching which forbade Muslims to cooperate with non-Muslims, while quoting Koranic verses which described how the Prophet Muhammad also interacted with non-Muslim people in Medina.

He made the remarks when speaking at the closing ceremony of the 2nd National Conference and Koranic Recital Festival (MTQ) here at Al Musaddadiyah Islamic boarding school.

Just days after being elected president, Abdurrahman said he wanted to open trade ties with Israel. The move sparked a public outcry, with many fearing that it might lead to full diplomatic relations.

However the government finally acquiesced and decided to postpone the idea on Thursday.

Separately in Jakarta, Foreign Minister Alwi Shihab said the decision to delay the move was to allow a period of familiarization and to sell the idea to the general public.

"I will be more than willing to have seminars or television discussions to discuss the ties," Alwi said.

He said he understood differing perceptions of the idea but regretted the many protests which he said would only cause public confusion.

Despite the government's decision to suspend the controversial move, protests in some cities continued.

In Semarang, Central Java, about 100 women grouped under the Womens Caring for the Nation Forum (FWPKB) marched to the provincial legislature in protest at the plan.

"Such a plan must be dropped because up to now Israel still occupies Palestinian land and restricts Palestinians rights," Mia Inaryati Rahmania, the rally coordinator, said.

The group said opening relationships with Israel would give the Jewish country more legitimacy in its claim over the land belonging to Palestinians. (04/43/emf/har)