Supporters of the Justice and Prosperity Party, an Islamist party that wants to establish Islamic Shariah law, staged anti-Israeli demonstrations in Jakarta and across Indonesia on 17 April 2005.
Tens of thousands of people participated in the march in Jakarta, which began at approximately 0700 local time (2400 UTC), and rallied at the U.S. Embassy. During the march, one side of the main road in the city's business district was blocked. No incidents of violence were reported.
Similar demonstrations took place in Surabaya in East Java, Jepara in Central Java, Makassar in South Sulawesi and Bandar Lampung in Sumatra.
The protest was organized to demonstrate solidarity with Palestinians in view of perceived threats to al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem. There is concern that right-wing Jews who oppose the evacuation of settlers from the Gaza Strip -- which is due to begin in July -- may undertake provocative actions on the Temple Mount, where al-Aqsa is located. This in turn has prompted calls by militant Palestinian groups for the Muslim world to protect the mosque.
Hope the celebrants don't get too frisky.