Jakarta – Thousand of Prosperous and Justice Party (PKS) members from across Greater Jakarta staged a rally at the Hotel Indonesia traffic circle in Central Jakarta on Friday, causing traffic tie-ups around the area.

Kompas.com has reported the rally has held up busses and cars coming into the major intersection from the south.

Central Jakarta Police have deployed 500 officers to keep the peace and regulate traffic. They have already confiscated three containers containing sound systems and have both a water cannon and a paddy wagon in case rioting occurs.

During the rally, demonstrators set out blue donation boxes so passers-by could contribute.

PKS chair Tifatul Sembiring said the party condemned Israel's air raid attacks on Hamas in the Gaza Strip and urged all Muslims to join the fight against Israel. "We have to unite. If we don't, we will have failed," he said during the rally. (ewd)