Freed militant cleric says Indonesian holy warriors should go to Israel
July 3, 2006
JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) -A reputed leader of an al-Qaida-linked terror group said Monday that Indonesia should send Islamic holy warriors to Israel to punish it for unleashing air strikes in Palestinian territories.
"Israel is the enemy of Allah," militant cleric Abu Bakar Bashir told hundreds of members of the Muslim-based Crescent Star Party in the capital, Jakarta. "That is why Indonesia should send holy warriors there."
Bashir, who recently completed a 26-month jail term for conspiracy in the 2002 Bali bombings that left 202 dead, spoke as Israel massed tanks and troops along Gaza's northern border. That followed a weekend of escalating violence in Palestinian territories, triggered by the capture of an Israeli soldier.
The United States and Australia allege that Bashir is a key leader in the al-Qaida-linked militant group Jemaah Islamiyah, blamed for a string of bloody bombings across Indonesia since 2000.
His release from prison last month raised concerns that he would energize Indonesia's small, Islamic radical fringe by making impassioned speeches at rallies and mosques.
Meanwhile, a dozen Islamic students held a noisy but peaceful demonstration outside the U.S. Embassy in Jakarta to condemn Israeli military strikes in Gaza, a day after thousands rallied against the United States and Israel at the same spot.
On Monday, protesters burned pictures of U.S. President George W. Bush and former Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon.
JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) -A reputed leader of an al-Qaida-linked terror group said Monday that Indonesia should send Islamic holy warriors to Israel to punish it for unleashing air strikes in Palestinian territories.
"Israel is the enemy of Allah," militant cleric Abu Bakar Bashir told hundreds of members of the Muslim-based Crescent Star Party in the capital, Jakarta. "That is why Indonesia should send holy warriors there."
Bashir, who recently completed a 26-month jail term for conspiracy in the 2002 Bali bombings that left 202 dead, spoke as Israel massed tanks and troops along Gaza's northern border. That followed a weekend of escalating violence in Palestinian territories, triggered by the capture of an Israeli soldier.
The United States and Australia allege that Bashir is a key leader in the al-Qaida-linked militant group Jemaah Islamiyah, blamed for a string of bloody bombings across Indonesia since 2000.
His release from prison last month raised concerns that he would energize Indonesia's small, Islamic radical fringe by making impassioned speeches at rallies and mosques.
Meanwhile, a dozen Islamic students held a noisy but peaceful demonstration outside the U.S. Embassy in Jakarta to condemn Israeli military strikes in Gaza, a day after thousands rallied against the United States and Israel at the same spot.
On Monday, protesters burned pictures of U.S. President George W. Bush and former Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon.
posted by HRM Deborah of Israel and the Messenger of Peace at 5:42 PM
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