VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Indonesian President Joko Widodo has condemned the use of force against Palestinian worshippers at Jerusalem's Al-Aqsa Mosque and the forced eviction of Palestinian families from their homes in Sheikh Jarrah, East Jerusalem.

"The forced evictions of Palestinians from Sheikh Jarrah, East Jerusalem, and the use of force against Palestinian civilians at Al-Aqsa Mosque should not be ignored. Indonesia condemns these actions," Widodo said on his Twitter account @jokowi, here on Monday.

The President said Indonesia has urged the UN Security Council to take action on repeated violations committed by Israel.

Indonesia will continue to side with the Palestinian people in their struggle for independence, he added.

Last Saturday, the Indonesian government had vehemently denounced an Israeli attack on Palestinian civilians at the Al-Aqsa Mosque complex and the forced eviction of six Palestinian families from the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood.

"Indonesia equally condemns the use of force against Palestinian civilians at the Al-Aqsa Mosque complex that resulted in hundreds of casualties and thereby hurt the sentiments of the Ummah," the Indonesian Foreign Ministry tweeted on its official Twitter account on Saturday.

Meanwhile, United Development Party (PPP) deputy chairman Arsul Sani urged the Indonesian government to not contemplate on establishing diplomatic relations with Israel, in spite of the associated economic benefits.

"A firm step must be taken, although diplomatic relations could offer economic benefits for Indonesia," Sani remarked here on Monday.

The stern measure has been deemed necessary in view of the ongoing acts of violence committed by Israeli security forces against Palestinians, especially Muslims worshiping at the Al-Aqsa Mosque complex during the Islamic Holy Month of Ramadan, he said.  (Antaranews)