Telly Nathalia, Jakarta – Protesters from a wide ideological and religious spectrum demonstrated in cities across Indonesia on Sunday against Israeli actions in Lebanon, but a key rally in Jakarta drew far fewer participants than forecast.
The leader of Indonesia's second-largest Muslim group, Muhammadiyah, had spoken earlier of a million person march, but less than 2,000 appeared at the capital's main traffic circle to hear speeches condemning Israel and the United States. About 5,000 attended when the protest shifted to the US embassy.
However, the demonstration attracted not just Muslims but senior Protestant, Catholic and Buddhist officials and various non-governmental and labor organization representatives.
Many participants wore headbands calling Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and President Bush terrorists. Banners read "Go to hell Zionists," "Give a chance to Peace" and "Aggression is human crime."
"My friends and I today together are called to say: Indonesia, Indonesia, get together. Israel, Israel, destroy it. America, America, terrorists," said Leo Sunkarisma, a Buddhist representative.
The chairman of the Church Alliance in Indonesia, Andreas Yawangoe, said: "We are here because we disagree with the crime which is committed by Israel."
Muhammadiyah chairman Din Syamsuddin said the US ambassador had been asked to meet protest representatives but declined. "We take this as an attitude that doesn't respect international cooperation. We don't hate the American people and nation but we reject the US policy," Syamsuddin told the crowd.
About 600 police, and a water cannon, were on guard at the US embassy, which is fortified with concrete roadblocks and concertina wire.
The embassy warned last week of possible violence from protests but the demonstration was peaceful with some family groups picnicking under trees during the speeches.
In Yogyakarta in Indonesia's Java island heartland, about 1,500 members of the Islamic-oriented Prosperous Justice Party also demonstrated on Sunday, according to local media. They called on Indonesian Muslims to assist Lebanon and the Palestinian territories against Israeli attacks and for a boycott of US goods.
Indonesia is the world's most populous Muslim nation, with some 85 percent of its 220 million people following the faith.
Protests were also reported in Surabaya, Indonesia's second most populous city after Jakarta, and Medan, its third largest.
Israel has been involved in military action in Lebanon since early July, when the militant Hizbollah group captured two Israeli soldiers and killed eight in a cross-border raid.
Hizbollah has put up fierce resistance and fired 2,600 rockets into Israel. Hizbollah has killed 87 Israelis. Lebanon says more than 900 people, mostly civilians, have been killed by Israeli attacks. Indonesia has no diplomatic relations with Israel and historically has been a staunch supporter of the Palestinians.