VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

At least one hundred people staged a rally outside the East Java Provincial Legislative Council (DPRD) building in Surabaya on Monday to condemn the Israeli aggression against Palestinians in Gaza and demonstrate their support for Palestine's struggle for independence.

"We support Palestine (efforts) to become an independent and sovereign state," field coordinator of the rally, Mila Mahmudah, said.

During the rally, the protesters, who claimed to belong to the Indonesian Association of Young Islamic Fighters, waved Palestinian flags and unfurled banners declaring their support for the Palestinian people.

They also stepped on an Israeli flag placed on the road and demanded the Israeli aggression be ended.

Speaking at the rally, Mahmudah said the conflict between Israel and Palestine has continued since the latter is not accepted as an independent and sovereign state by the UN.

The objective of Monday’s rally was to show humanitarian support for Palestine's struggle for an independent and sovereign state, he added.

He said he did not gather a larger number of demonstrators for the rally on account of the COVID-19 pandemic and that all participants were asked to follow the health protocols, he added.

"Because of the pandemic, we limited the number of demonstrators to only one hundred. The rally was only held for one day," he said.

Mahmudah said he will organize another rally if the demonstrators' wish goes unheeded or if the Israeli aggression continues.

The Indonesian government must take a firmer stand to help Palestine achieve independence and sovereignty, he added.  (Antaranews)