Palestine Solidarity Day 2015 in Jakarta

Indonesia has again showcased its support for the Palestinian independence where this time through the implementation of Palestine Solidarity Day 2015 gathering which was held in the Istora Senayan (sports hall) here.

A number of noted artists in the Indonesian capital city Jakarta such as Melly Goeslaw, Zaskia Sungkar, Irwansyah, Sandy Canester, Opick and novelist Habiburrahman El Shirazy attended the event.

In addition, Muslim figures among others Bachtiar Nasir and chairman of the Indonesian Ulemas Council (MUI) KH. Shodiqun were also present in the gathering.

Although it rained in Jakarta, visitors of the Palestine Solidarity Day (PSD) from various circles remained enthusiastic and spiritful in supporting the Palestinian struggle.

"I come here with my friend. Our presence is a support to the Palestinian people," said Novi, one of the visitors in the PSD, who came from Tanah Abang area in Central Jakarta.

The Palestine Solidarity Day 2015 gathering was jointly held by Asia Pacific Community for Palestine (Aspac), Adara Relief International, the National Committee for Palestinian People (KNRP), Spirit of Aqsa, Arts and Culture Commission of the Indonesian Ulemas Council (MUI), PB Mathlaul Anwar, PKPU, Rumah Zakat, Pesona Al Quds, Indonesian Parliamentary Caucus for Palestine, FSLDK, WAMY Indonesia, MP4P, and Wafaa.

In addition to the entertainment events, the PSD 2015 organizing committee also conducted a bazaar which sold fashions, herbal products, books, Palestine trinkets, meals and free health checks.

Chairman of the Asia Pacific Community for Palestine (Aspac for Palestine), Saiful Bahri said that Sunday (Nov 29/2015) was chosen to organize the PSD because it coincided with a UN resolution that divided Palestine on November 29, 1947.

"Today is international solidarity. We struggle and will not stop and invite the Indonesian government to participate," Saiful Bahri pointed out.

This event also called the issuance of Senayan Declaration 2015, which contains seven statements to support the Palestinian struggle as follows.

First, it denounced and strongly condemned efforts to Judaize the city of Jerusalem and the humiliation committed by the Israeli military against Al-Aqsa Mosque.

Second, it rejected all forms of Israeli intervention in the management of the Al Aqsa Mosque which includes the division of time and a special place for Israeli Jews.

Third, it called on the international community to end the blockade of Gaza to facilitate humanitarian assistance and recovery of physical facilities after the Israeli aggression in 2014.

Forth, it supported the measures of reconciliation and unity of all Palestinian factions in an effort to realize the independence of a sovereign Palestinian State.

Fifth, it called on the Indonesian government and the countries of the region and the international community to support Palestinian independence and protect the historic sites from destruction and humiliation that could result in disturbing the harmony between religious community.

Sixth, it called on the international community to pressure and force Israel to stop building illegal settlements.

Seventh, it invited the UN and the international community to pay more attention to Palestinian refugees and other war victims.

Previously, the Indonesian Ulemas Council (MUI) ended its three-day National Working Congress here on Thursday (Nov 12) by urging President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) to fulfill his campaign pledge made towards the struggle for Palestinians.

"In its recommendations issued at the national working congress, MUI urged President Joko Widodo to meet his pledge to seriously help settle the question of Palestine to ensure the rights of Palestinian people and the existence of Aqsha Mosque," the Chairman of the MUI team for formulating main ideas and external recommendation, A.M. Romly said on Thursday.

One of the efforts to meet the pledge is that the government should immediately open a representative office in Gaza, Palestine, he said.

MUI also denounced the Jewish Zionists for any form of misdeeds, including occupying Palestinian land, launching aggression, and evicting and killing Palestinian people.

In its recommendations, the MUI called for stronger international cooperation to settle the question of Palestinian, he said.

"We call upon and urge OIC member states and Islamic countries to take more concrete steps to help the people of Palestine," he said,

In the meantime, President Jokowi has maintained a consistent stance, noting that Indonesia wants to see Palestine become an independent country like other nations.

"I think since the beginning we wanted Palestine to be a country," Jokowi said in Sukoharjo, Central Java on Saturday (Oct.3)

Al Jazeera reported that the Palestinian flag was raised in the Rose Garden of the United Nations at 1:00pm local time (6:00pm GMT) on Wednesday (Sept. 30) as a large crowd of diplomats and reporters watched on.

The General Assembly approved the resolution to raise the flag with an overwhelming majority voting in favor of it on September 10.

The motion was passed with 119 votes in favor, while 45 countries abstained and eight voted against, among them Israel, the US, Australia and Canada.

Addressing the crowd, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas dedicated the ceremony to "the martyrs, the prisoners and the wounded, and to those who gave their lives while trying to raise this flag."

The move, strongly criticized by Israel, was also opposed by the United States.

Senior Hamas leader Ghazi al-Hamad said the flag-raising was "a positive step," but added that "it was not enough."

The Palestinian leadership in the West Bank has focused too much on "symbolic acts," Hamad told Al Jazeera, adding that only with unity between the West Bank and Gaza can Palestinians "confront the Israeli occupation and establish an independent Palestinian state."

Apart from that, a member of Commission I of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR) Sukamta stated that Palestine can take a cue from Indonesia that diplomacy cannot be separated from the struggle to achieve freedom.

"Conducting diplomacy in the United Nations (UN) is important and raising the flag of Palestine in the UN headquarters is a positive step," he stated here on Friday.

In Sukamtas opinion, Palestine must always remember that raising the flag is basically indicative of complete freedom, either de facto or de jure.

Palestine must also be aware of the situation that Israel is one step ahead and has positioned itself as a full member of the UN, he added.

Sumber https://www.pgrionline.com/

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