RI condemns Israli attacks on Palestine

RI condemns Israli attacks on Palestine

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

The government of Indonesia condemned on Monday Israel's
crackdown in the Palestinian territories, saying the military
action had endangered not only the life of President Yasser
Arafat but also the future of the peace process in the Middle
East.

Security minister Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, on behalf of the
Minister of Foreign Affairs, announced on Monday evening the
government's condemnation of the Israeli attacks on Ramallah
after consulting President Megawati Soekarnoputri and incumbent
foreign minister Hassan Wirayuda, both of whom are currently in
India on an official visit, as well as Vice President Hamzah Haz.

"Israel is held responsible for the safety of Palestinian
leader Arafat. Indonesia underscores the key role of Arafat in
the peace process in the Middle East and rejects the latest
attempt by Israel to deny Arafat's role," Susilo said.

Indonesia, Susilo said, insisted that a comprehensive and fair
peace process required the implementation of UN Security Council
Resolutions No. 242 and 338, plus other relevant resolutions, and
the recognition of the "land for peace" principle.

The government, Susilo added, called for a UN initiative and
the use of diplomatic moves to make the peace talks resume.

Earlier in the day Susilo, who is the Coordinating Minister
for Political and Security Affairs, called an impromptu meeting
on Israel's attacks on Palestine territories.

The special meeting was attended by State Intelligence Agency
(BIN) Chief Hendropriyono, Minister of Defense Matori Abdul
Djalil and foreign affairs ministry spokesman Marty Natalegawa.

Marty said that the meeting centered around Indonesia's
disapproval of Israel's attack on Palestine, as had been earlier
by stated by foreign minister Hassan Wirayuda.

Susilo said there were clear indications that Israel was not
acting in accordance with the resolution issued by the UN
Security Council, which suggested the removal of Israeli forces
from Palestine.

"I personally am of the opinion ... isn't it time for the UN
to intervene? The UN has peacekeeping forces and it has the
ability to put a stop to this violence," Susilo told reporters
after a seminar on an anti-terrorism bill here.

Foreign ministers from the Organization of the Islamic
Conference (OIC) meeting in Malaysia to discuss the root causes
of global terrorism as Israel sent fresh tanks to the West Bank,
urged the UN to give Palestinians international protection.

Meanwhile, Islamic parties and organizations condemned the
latest attack on Palestine, and accused Israel of dragging the
Middle East into an absolute war.

The Indonesian Ulemas Council (MUI) also demanded that Israeli
Prime Minister Ariel Sharon be brought to the international human
rights tribunal as a "war criminal and a criminal who has
committed gross human rights violations."

The statement was jointly signed by MUI chief Nazri Adlani and
MUI secretary-general Din Syamsuddin at the MUI office, located
at the Istiqlal mosque. It was also signed by representatives of
several Muslim organizations, including the Association of
Islamic Students (HMI), Islamic Defenders Front (FPI) and Islamic
Youth Movement (GPI).