Photo Description: This is a view of the Indonesian people, participants in the Palestine Solidarity Rally held at the National Monument (Monas) in Jakarta, Indonesia. Photo by: Muh Akbar/Jaktimes.com.
JAKARTA, JAKTIMES.COM – The Palestine Solidarity Rally, initiated by the Indonesian Ulema Council (Majelis Ulama Indonesia) and affiliated with the Indonesian People’s Alliance for Palestine, was attended by approximately two million people at Monas, Jakarta, on May 11, 2023.
The Palestine Solidarity Rally was also attended by three ministers from the Indonesian Onward Cabinet, namely Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi, Minister of Human Development and Culture Muhadjir Effendy, and Minister of Religion Yaqut Cholil Qoumas.
Among those present at the rally were legislative representatives, including Deputy Speaker of the Regional Representative Council (DPD RI) Prof. Dr. Hj. Sylviana Murni, S.H., M.Si, Deputy Speaker of the People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR RI) Dr. H. Jazilul Fawaid, SQ, MA, and Chairwoman of the People’s Consultative Assembly (DPR RI) Dr. Puan Maharani Nakshatra Kusyala Devi, S.Sos, as well as the former Governor of Jakarta, Anies Rasyid Baswedan.
The Chairman of the Indonesian People’s Alliance for Palestine, Prof. KH. Muhammad Sirajuddin Syamsuddin, M.A., Ph.D., stated in his address that this rally is a form of support from the Indonesian people to Palestine, as Palestine had previously supported Indonesia’s struggle for independence.
“The Palestinian people were the first to recognize Indonesia’s independence, even before 1945. On September 16, 1944, Mufti of Palestine Amin Al-Husaini expressed his support through Radio Berlin. This is why we are conducting this rally, to support Palestine,” he explained.
Mufti Amin Al-Husaini also encouraged other Middle Eastern countries to recognize Indonesia’s independence, successfully convincing Egypt, Syria, Iraq, Lebanon, Yemen, Saudi Arabia, and Afghanistan to support Indonesia’s independence.
“Today’s rally is a demonstration of unity among all elements and components of the Indonesian nation who cherish peace, transcending religious, organizational, and societal boundaries. Therefore, I ask you to show unity, adhere to ethical and noble behavior, and respect and tolerate one another. Defending Palestine is in line with our 1945 Constitution, to achieve true independence and sovereignty,” Prof. Syamsuddin added in his speech.
Support for the Palestinian people was also expressed by Chairwoman of the People’s Consultative Assembly (DPR RI), Puan Maharani, who condemned Israel’s actions against the Palestinians in her speech.
“One of the goals of Indonesia’s independence is to create order and world peace. What is happening in Palestine is unacceptable. We condemn and reject the cruelty of Israel’s occupation that has destroyed everything and continues to oppress Palestine,” she declared.
Puan also called on the government to play an active role in advocating for Palestinian independence and urged Israel to cease its brutality against Palestine.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi also participated in the Palestine Solidarity Rally and used her voice to strongly advocate for Palestinian independence on various global platforms.
“On behalf of the Indonesian government, Indonesia’s support for the Palestinian struggle, we all gather here to unite. Alhamdulillah, the first aid has been dispatched, led directly by President Jokowi, and this is assistance from the entire Indonesian people,” she explained.
On Saturday, November 4, 2023, President Jokowi released humanitarian aid for the Palestinian people. The aid included 51.5 tons of food, medical supplies, blankets, tents, and other logistical items.
The Israeli atrocities in Palestine should awaken the conscience of every human being, said Evi Murniyati (55), one of the participants from Bogor, in her statement during the Palestine Solidarity Rally. Evi even expressed her hope to be able to travel to Palestine to cook and care for orphaned children.
“As a mother and a woman, my heart shatters when I see children losing their homes, parents, and even their lives. Why them? They are innocent,” she said with sadness.
The Palestinian Ministry of Health announced that the death toll from Israel’s aggression in Gaza had risen to 9,257 martyrs, including 3,826 children and 2,405 women, with 23,516 people injured to varying degrees since October 7 (Muh Akbar/Wan).
