5-11-2023 (JAKARTA) Tens of thousands of individuals gathered at the National Monument in Jakarta on Sunday to express unwavering solidarity with the Palestinians in the wake of the ongoing conflict in Gaza. This marked the largest public assembly in Indonesia since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war.
Cloaked in white attire adorned with black-and-white Palestinian scarves, the demonstrators proudly brandished Palestinian flags while fervently chanting slogans such as “God is Great” and “Free Palestine.” Their resounding voices resonated with a demand for an immediate cessation of Israeli forces’ deadly siege on Gaza.
As images of the bombings in Gaza flickered across screens, prominent Muslim leaders took to the stage at the National Monument (Monas) square. They delivered impassioned speeches, calling for actions including the boycotting of Israeli products and an international investigation into Israel’s hostilities in Gaza.
With chants of “Israeli oppressors, fight, fight, fight” and “Indonesia defends Palestine,” the demonstrators conveyed their unequivocal support for the Palestinian cause.
This peaceful rally was led by the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI), the nation’s highest Islamic authority, and enjoyed support from the government, as well as various Muslim organizations and representatives of other faiths, including Buddhism and Christianity.
Prominent figures, including Religious Affairs Minister Yaqut Cholil Qoumas, Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi, former Jakarta governor and presidential candidate Anies Baswedan, and House of Representatives Chair Puan Maharani, were in attendance.
Despite a heavy downpour the previous night, protesters from various cities in Java arrived via buses and motorcycles to make their voices heard. Some even spent the night at the Istiqlal Mosque, Southeast Asia’s largest mosque, before commencing their journey to Monas at 7 am (Singapore time).
Ms. Evi Murniyati, 55, and her three friends from Bogor city, located just outside Jakarta, expressed their desire to personally aid the orphaned children in Palestine. Ms. Evi lamented, “As a mother and woman, my heart shattered into a million pieces when I saw the children who lost their homes, parents, and even their lives. Why them? They are innocent.”
Another participant, 26-year-old content creator Ms. Sumayah, emphasized the importance of attending the event in person, stating, “I want to come in person, and not just post on social media, to show I stand with the Palestinians. I have so many emotions right now – sad and angry at the senseless cruelty.”
The distress was palpable in her voice as she added, “I cannot imagine how life would be if I were a Gaza resident there, every hour, minute, and second, thinking when I will die.”
Sunday’s rally marked the latest in a series of peaceful protests, with previous demonstrations held near the United States Embassy and the United Nations mission, both located in close proximity to Monas. Indonesia lacks formal diplomatic relations with Israel, and the country does not host an Israeli embassy.
Indonesia, as the world’s most populous Muslim-majority country with 280 million people, has consistently shown strong support for the Palestinian cause. In March, members of certain Muslim groups took to the streets in Jakarta to protest the participation of the Israeli football team in the Fifa U-20 World Cup. The international football governing body revoked Indonesia’s hosting rights due to the surge of resistance.
In December 2017, tens of thousands of protesters voiced their opposition to the U.S. decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.
The recent escalation of hostilities, triggered by an October 7 incursion by Hamas fighters that resulted in approximately 1,400 casualties in Israel, has prompted a retaliatory response. Subsequently, heavy airstrikes on the Gaza Strip have claimed the lives of thousands of Palestinians. The situation in Gaza remains dire, with shortages of food, fuel, and medical supplies affecting the 2.3 million residents, according to reports from aid organizations.
Indonesian President Joko Widodo has consistently condemned the hostilities and called for a ceasefire. He pledged Indonesia’s commitment to engage with various stakeholders to resolve the crisis and provide humanitarian aid to the Palestinian people. In a recent broadcast, President Widodo expressed his deep concern, stating, “Indonesia is enraged about the worsening situation in Gaza, especially the humanitarian situation.”
He added, “Violence must stop, a ceasefire must continue to be sought. Humanitarian assistance must continue to be encouraged and accelerated.”
Last Tuesday, Indonesia’s anti-terror police issued a warning to the public against participating in pro-Palestinian protests and fundraising activities organized by certain terror groups. Security analysts have raised concerns that the bombardment of Gaza could potentially fuel recruitment for Muslim militant groups, although there is limited evidence of such recruitment at this stage.
The head of Islamic preaching at MUI, Muhammad Cholil Nafis, characterized Sunday’s rally as “positive militancy and fanaticism,” emphasizing its purpose to convey Indonesia’s strong condemnation of Israel’s actions in Palestine. He stated, “There’s no need to think from the perspective of any faith or religious teaching; our sense of humanity is stirred just from watching innocent people being bombed and killed.”
Sudarnoto Abdul Hakim, MUI’s chairman for foreign relations and international cooperation, decried Israel’s actions in Gaza as “the worst genocide and war crime that has aroused global empathy, including Indonesia.”
Protesters on the ground conveyed a shared belief that humanity transcends religious boundaries, directing their frustration at Israeli forces rather than individuals of other faiths. They also called upon Western countries, particularly the United States, to cease their support of the Israeli military.
Teachers Endro Sasongko and Maelani Kusuma, both aged 55, expressed their non-radical stance, attending the pro-Palestinian rally to offer support, prayers, and humanitarian aid from afar. Ms. Maelani emphasized, “It’s not about religion; it’s about humanity. We can only offer support, prayers, and humanitarian aid now as we are far away. We don’t need to be radical and fight in a war.”
Another protester, Ms. Nunung Normawati, 61, summed up the sentiment, stating, “You don’t have to be a Muslim to support Palestine, but just be a human, a human with a heart.”
More than 2 million people gathered in Indonesia???????? in support of Palestine.????????
US and EU have NO CLUE what they are getting into! Plain stupid!
pic.twitter.com/WsYW0G0XVv— Dr. Anastasia Maria Loupis (@DrLoupis) November 5, 2023
