GAZA -- INDONESIA REACTS TO ISRAELI MILITARY

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 JAKARTA 000005 SIPDIS DEPT FOR EAP, EAP/MLS, EAP/MTS, EAP/RSP, NEA, NEA/IPA, DS COMMAND CENTER NSC FOR E.PHU E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/02/2019 TAGS: PREL PGOV ASEC KISL ID IS SUBJECT: GAZA -- INDONESIA REACTS TO ISRAELI MILITARY OPERATIONS REF: JAKARTA - OPS CENTER 01/02/2009 TELECONS Classified By: Pol/C Joseph L. Novak, reasons 1.4(b+d). ¶1. (C) SUMMARY: The GOI and Indonesian Muslim groups have strongly condemned ongoing Israeli military operations in Gaza. Hard-line groups have called for volunteer fighters to go to Gaza, but the Indonesian government has vowed to prevent this. The GOI is sending a medical relief team to the region. Muslim groups continue to organize demonstrations, including one outside of the Mission on January 2. That rally--which was in the process of breaking up as of 5:00 PM local--was peaceful. END SUMMARY. STRONG CONDEMNATION ¶2. (U) Indonesian officials have strongly condemned the ongoing Israeli military operation in Gaza. President Yudhoyono criticized Israeli actions as "disproportionate" and said "Indonesia supported the Palestinian people." Yudhoyono pledged $1 million in humanitarian and medical assistance for Gaza. He also called for an immediate ceasefire and urged the UN Security Council to work toward that end. The Department of Foreign Affairs (DEPLU) also issued a statement condemning Israeli actions. (Note: Indonesia finished its two-year term on the UNSC on December 31, 2008.) ¶3. (C) Hard-line groups--a small presence here--went further. The Islamic Defenders Front (FPI) and Hizbut Tahrir Indonesia (HTI) called for volunteer fighters to go to Gaza. On January 2, DEPLU spokesman Teuku Faizasyah said the government would forbid Indonesian nationals from traveling to Gaza in order to fight. Foreign Minister Wirajuda and the conservative Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) both encouraged Indonesian Muslims to donate to humanitarian relief efforts in Gaza instead. Mission contacts have told us that they seriously doubt that any Indonesians will try to travel to the Middle East to join the Hamas cause. ¶4. (U) A key Indonesian political figure is attempting to play a role in ending the conflict in Gaza. Hidayat Nur Wahid, a leader of Islamic-oriented Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) and Chair of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR--the upper house of the Indonesian parliament),left for the Middle East on January 1. He will join a delegation of Muslim leaders from various countries who will try to broker an end to the conflict. (Note: The delegation is linked to the al-Quds Foundation, an international organization that supports the Palestinian cause.) RELIEF EFFORTS ¶5. (U) The GOI continues to move forward with plans to send medical relief personnel and supplies to Gaza. A team of 15 medical personnel from the Health Ministry and several Muslim relief organizations departed Jakarta for Jordan on January ¶1. The team carried two tons of medical supplies and planned to purchase additional supplies in the region. A DEPLU official said the Indonesian team was still uncertain how it would enter Gaza. ¶6. (U) One possibility under discussion was staffing and equipping a hospital in the Egyptian town of Rafah, just across the border from Gaza. Indonesian officials continue to discuss possible arrangements with the Egyptians. DEPLU has promised that Indonesian efforts will be coordinated with the United Nations and other relief organizations that are working in the area. LARGE, PEACEFUL PROTESTS (SO FAR) JAKARTA 00000005 002 OF 002 ¶7. (SBU) Muslim groups continue to organize large but peaceful protests across the country. On December 31, PKS organized a 3000-4000 person demonstration in front of the Embassy in central Jakarta. PKS leaders gave us a letter from party president Tifatul Sembiring that contained a strongly worded condemnation of Israeli action--and of purported U.S. support for it. (Note: Mission has sent a copy of the letter to EAP/MTS.) Later that same day, FPI and HTI led a smaller demonstration at the Embassy. All together 4,000-5,000 people took part in the various demonstrations. ¶8. (SBU) Demonstrations continued on January 2, when PKS brought 20,000-25,000 demonstrators (and possibly more) out for a rally in front of the Embassy. Although the noisy demonstration fouled up traffic across the city for hours, it remained peaceful. The Indonesian National Police (INP) have provided excellent security support to Mission. There have also been rallies held outside of the Egyptian Embassy, with protesters calling for the GOE to open the Rafah border crossing with Gaza. HEFFERN