Yogyakarta students demand UN stop Israel Aggression
Dozens of university students here grouped in the Indonesian Students Action Front (KAMI) staged a rally in front of the Provincial Legislative Assembly building on Thursday to demand that the United Nations immediately stop Israeli military aggression against Palestine and Lebanon.
The protesters also said that they opposed the United States` intervention in the conflict, and that the Yogyakarta provincial administration, Arab League and Muslim organizations should take resolute action against Israel.
Coordinator of the rally, Sigit Hisham Priyono, said the Israeli military aggressions against Palestine and Lebanon which had claimed the lives of many innocent civilians were absolutely inhuman.
“Therefore KAMI urges the UN to immediately take stern action against Israel and reminds the United States not to intervene in the conflict,” Sigit said.
Meanwhile, Yogykarta Provincial Legislative Assembly (DPRD DIY) deputy chairperson, Istianah, met with the protestors and said that in principle her office supported what was expressed by KAMMI in relation with Israeli military attacks on Palestine and Lebanon.
She also said the provincial administration in particular and the central government in general should pay attention to KAMI`s demand.
“We also pray that the people of Palestine and Lebanon will soon be freed from Israeli attacks,” Istianah said.
In Jakarta on Wednesday, dozens of university students grouped in the Indonesian Muslim Student and Youth Forum also staged similar rally in front of the State Palace, condemning Israeli attacks on Palestine and Lebanon.
The students urged the Indonesian government to send a peace-keeping force to the Middle East region.
“We give a deadline 2×24 hours to the government to send regular troops to help the Palestinian and Lebanese peoples,” Muthohar Jamil, the rally`s coordinator, said.
The protesters called on leaders of Muslim majority countries to help free Palestine and Lebanon from Israeli aggressions.
“If they don`t want to help, it means they also let the Palestinian and Lebanese peoples suffer under Israeli tyranny,” he said.
In their written statement, the student forum called on the Muslims and other nations throughout the world to defend Palestine and Lebanon from Israeli and American terrorism.
“Only through the unity of the Muslims that we can have the power to protect ourselves, and to fight the Israeli and American arrogance,” he said.
Rallies condemning Israeli military aggression against Lebanon and Palestine have been held in several Indonesian cities, including Semarang, Padang, Banda Aceh, Bogor, Surabaya and Ambon.(*)
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