Indonesians protest at US Embassy over Israel’s airstrikes

Waving Indonesian and Palestinian flags and signs that read “Free Palestine,” several hundred demonstrators gathered along a major street in Jakarta that runs outside the embassy. More than 1,000 police were deployed around the compound, which is blocked off by concrete road separators.

Indonesia, the world’s most populous Muslim majority nation, does not have formal diplomatic relations with Israel and there is not an Israeli Embassy in the country.

One group of protesters, organized by the United Indonesian Muslim Student Action group, chanted “God is Great” and “Freedom for Palestine” as they marched. Their banners and placards slammed the airstrikes in Gaza and denounced America’s staunch support of Israel.

Another group, organized by the Confederation of Indonesian Trade Unions, held a similar rally a few hundred meters (yards) from the embassy. They yelled “Save Palestinians” as they marched through downtown Jakarta to the United Nations mission.