Jakarta – About 200 students and members of Muslim organizations staged a rally in front of the Sultan Ageng Tirtayasa University in Serang, Banten, on Monday to protest Israel's recent air strikes in Gaza.

"We're deeply concerned. Israel has launched an inhumane act at a time when others are supposed to be celebrating the new year," said Sjaeful Akbar, the rally coordinator adding the event was held partly to prepare for further rallies in Jakarta.

"We're planning on joining fellow protesters in Jakarta," the college student said, as quoted by tempointeraktif.com.

Akbar said he planned to coordinate the Banten student rallies with efforts by other students in Jakarta, Bekasi, Bogor and Tangerang. After rallying in Banten, the group of protesters will be heading to Jakarta.

Sjaeful said the government should immediately step up measures to assist the Palestinians. "They need to start sending medicine and medics there." (amr)