Indonesia`s Coordinating Minister for Political, Security and Legal Affairs Djoko Suyanto said the government will provide US$1 million to Palestine.
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Indonesia has planned to provide humanitarian aid to Palestine through Egypt, Indonesian Foreign Affairs Minister Marty Natalegawa said here on Tuesday.

"I will call on Egypts foreign affairs minister to check the possibility of sending humanitarian aid to Palestine through Egypt," said Marty.

About 175 people had died in Gaza, Palestine, due to Israeli military air strikes since early July. Israel claimed the air strikes as a counterattack after three Israeli teenagers were found dead in West Bank area. Israel suspected Hamas fighters as the mastermind behind the killing.

In response to the situation in Gaza, Indonesias Coordinating Minister for Political, Security and Legal Affairs Djoko Suyanto said the government will provide US$1 million to Palestine.

"The best way of helping is to provide money because it is easier to channel. The money will be transferred to the Hamas or Fatah government. The Indonesian government is preparing humanitarian aid worth US$1 million," Suyanto stated.

The minister noted that the Indonesian government will facilitate if the people take the initiative to extend assistance.

"The condition and situation are now difficult. The Indonesian foreign minister will communicate directly with the Palestinian government. We hope the people will provide assistance in the form of cash," the coordinating minister added.

Indonesian President Yudhoyono had condemned the Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip, Palestine. The head of state emphasized that he continued to take efforts to end the violence through diplomatic channels at the United Nations, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, and the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM).

Yudhoyono remarked that he will communicate with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, who is the current chairman of NAM, to discuss the Palestinian issue.

"I will communicate with the Iranian president in his capacity as the chairman of NAM to discuss what can be done to end the violence," he affirmed.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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