More than 1,000 protesters, mainly students and members of Muslim student organisations, rallied peacefully in central Jakarta, protesting against the Israeli strikes. -- PHOTO: AP
JAKARTA - INDONESIA, the world's most populous Muslim nation, Monday condemned the massive Israeli air strikes in the Gaza Strip and said it would send cash and medical aid to Palestinian victims.
The offensive, launched on Saturday in response to a wave of Palestinian-fired rockets, has killed over 300 people and wounded more than 600 so far.
President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said it was ironic that the raids occurred as people entered the Islamic new year and days before the new year of 2009.
'We should pray that the earth will be more peaceful, but we've been torn by the situation in Palestine and Gaza,' Mr Yudhoyono told reporters.
He said that Indonesia would push the United Nations Security Council for a resolution on the Gaza conflict.
The Indonesian foreign ministry said the raids were 'an overly violent use of force and disproportionate' to the rocket fire by militant groups.
In a statement, it said the rockets were 'an act of self-defence' against what it called Israeli 'military occupation and colonisation.' The ministry said it hoped Israel and the Palestinians would resume peace talks.
The government pledged to send one million US dollars in cash to the Palestinian government in addition to sending medical supplies and cash for medical aid.
'I urge the people to help. We've seen hundreds of wounded people, so humanitarian aid should be given,' Mr Yudhoyono said.
The head of the health ministry's crisis centre, Rustam Pakaya, said Jakarta would send medical aid and cash of more than two billion rupiah (S$264,324 dollars).
'Besides sending two tonnes of Indonesian-made medical supplies, we'll buy more medical aid in Cairo with the cash,' Mr Pakaya added, saying medicines cost less in Egypt and would be easier to transport to the conflict area.
More than 1,000 protesters, mainly students and members of Muslim student organisations, rallied peacefully in central Jakarta, carrying Indonesian and Palestinian flags and banners protesting against the Israeli strikes.
An organiser of the rally said they also planned to march to the Egyptian embassy to urge its government to help Palestinians.
Militant Muslim group Islamic Defenders Front said that it planned to recruit local volunteers who want to fight in the Gaza Strip in response to the attacks, according to website tvOne. -- AFP
