Students Demonstrate Near Bogor Palace, Condemn U.S. and Israel Attacks on Iran

Several students staged a demonstration in front of Bogor Palace in Bogor, West Java. They condemned the United States and Israel’s attacks on Iran. Observers said the students from the Islamic Student Association (HMI) expressed concern over the US and Israel attacks on Iran. The demonstrators lit a bonfire of used tyres in the middle of the road and clashed briefly with police at the palace gates. The protest disrupted traffic on Jalan Ir Juanda, causing congestion. The students dispersed after presenting their demands. They condemned the US and Israel’s military attacks as threats to national sovereignty and civilian safety, and urged the United Nations Security Council to issue an unconditional ceasefire resolution and ensure enforcement of international law. ‘We strongly condemn all forms of military aggression that threaten national sovereignty and civilian safety. We also urge the UN Security Council to immediately issue an unconditional ceasefire resolution and ensure enforcement of international law,’ said Moeltazam, Chair of HMI Bogor City. The students also urged the Indonesian government to take concrete steps to protect and evacuate Indonesian citizens residing in affected areas. ‘Urging the President of the Republic of Indonesia to take a firm and independent stance in addressing this escalation, in line with the principle of free and active foreign policy,’ he added. Bogor City Police Chief of Operations, Kompol Aca Nana Suryadi, said there were brief pushes between students and police as students were advised to move to an action point on Jalan Sudirman. ‘We tried from the start to protect them from breaking the law and to move them to the near Starbucks on Jalan Sudirman; but they insisted, so there were pushes. We could only push them back,’ he told detikcom. He explained that Law Number 9 of 1998 on the Freedom to Express Opinion requires demonstration distances from vital national objects to be at least 500 metres. Traffic has since returned to normal. ‘Overall, the demonstration was conducted peacefully. We must balance public interests, especially during Ramadan when many people will be seeking takjil to break their fast. It would be better if, in Ramadan, everyone behaves considerately, particularly since this group is HMI and Muslims should understand how to observe Ramadan,’ he said.