"Indonesia harshly condemns Israels move to bar access to the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem. We urge Israel to immediately re-open the mosque," the Indonesian Foreign Affairs Ministry stated in a press release received here on Friday.
According to the ministry, Israel violated basic human rights by closing the mosque, hindering the right to freedom of worship of Muslims in Palestine.
Indonesia also urged Israel to ensure the safety of the Muslim population in Jerusalem, particularly their right to secure and safe worship in the Al-Aqsa Mosque.
Furthermore, the Foreign Ministry also asked Israeli military officers to stop their violent attacks on Palestinians.
"The heightened situation of violence in Jerusalem is of great concern to Indonesia. We also urge all parties to refrain (from such acts)," the ministry stated.
The United Nations has also expressed its concern to Israel, following the destruction of Palestinian residences in the West Bank and the attacks carried out by the Israeli military.
The UN also condemned Israel for occupying Palestinian territory and restricting Palestinian activity in their land.
Moreover, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is outraged by the move that disallows Palestinians access to the Al-Aqsa Mosque. He has assumed that the action indicates a challenge to a war.
(T.B019/INE/KR-BSR/S012)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
Copyright © ANTARA 2014
