clipped from www.antara.co.id01/07/09 14:32
Indonesian radicals demand "holy warriors" be let into Gaza
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Indonesian Islamist radicals protested Wednesday against Israel's incursion into the Gaza Strip and demanded Egypt open its borders to allow humanitarian aid and "holy warriors" to enter the territory.
Around 100 people from the fringe Islamist group Jamaah Anshorut Tauhid (JAT) of radical cleric Abu Bakar Bashir rallied in front of the Palestinian, Egyptian and US embassies denouncing Israel's attack.
"Our hope is that Egypt will open its door not only for medical teams but also for mujahedeen (holy warriors) and volunteers," JAT campaigner Haris Amir told AFP.
Egypt has kept its border with Gaza closed during the fighting, which started on December 27 and has left least 660 Palestinians dead.
Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak has said his country would reopen crossings in the event of a ceasefire.
Local radical groups including the Islamic Defenders Front (FPI) have launched a recruitment drive for "holy warriors" to be sent to fight Israel in Gaza.
FPI claims to have recruited more than 4,000 would-be fighters.
Indonesia's government has resisted calls by radical groups to let the fighters out of the country, saying the priority is to send medicine and aid to Palestinians affected by the fighting.
Indonesia, a Muslim-majority country of 234 million people, is a strong supporter of the Palestinian cause and also has designs on becoming a significant player in peacemaking efforts in the region, despite having no diplomatic relations with Israel. (*)
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