Indonesia’s largest Islamic party holds pro-Palestine rally outside US Embassy

By Adelline Tri Putri Marcelline

JAKARTA, Indonesia (AA) – Hundreds of supporters of Indonesia’s largest Islamic party gathered for a Palestine solidarity rally outside the US Embassy in the capital Jakarta on Thursday.

A party leader said the demonstration was part of ongoing efforts by the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) to drum up international support for Palestinians facing brutal Israeli violence.

“The whole world is also taking the same stance to show that they stand with Palestinians who live under Zionist colonization,” said Khoirudin, the head of the party’s regional management board.

Indonesia, being the country with the largest Muslim population in the world, must provide support to the Palestinians, he stressed.

The PKS also recently sent a letter to the US Embassy condemning Israel’s ongoing attacks on Palestinians.

“Through this act of solidarity, we want to show the world that we support Palestine’s independence,” Khoirudin said.

At least 230 Palestinians have been killed in Israel’s relentless assault on the Gaza Strip since May 10, including 65 children, 39 women, and 17 elderly people.

According to Palestine’s Health Ministry, a further 1,710 people have been injured as Israel continues to pound the besieged Palestinian territory in airstrikes.

The UN said on Thursday that Israel’s onslaught has displaced at least 75,000 Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.

Israel launched an offensive on Gaza after Hamas fired rockets in retaliation to days of violent Israeli assaults on Palestinians in occupied East Jerusalem during the holy month of Ramadan.

Israeli police attacked Palestinian worshippers in and around the Al-Aqsa Mosque in the last week of the holy month, while also targeting Palestinians protesting in solidarity with residents of the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood, who are facing eviction after a controversial Israeli court order.

Israeli forces have killed at least 29 Palestinians, including four children, and injured over 6,300 more in the occupied West Bank over the past few days.

Israel occupied East Jerusalem during the 1967 Arab-Israeli war and annexed the entire city in 1980 -- a move that has never been recognized by the international community.

*Writing by Maria Elisa Hospita