The chairman of the Indonesian Parliament's Commission I, Theo L. Sambuaga, here Saturday demanded that Israel immediately release a number of Palestinian officials it arrested recently.

"We strongly condemn the arbitrary Israeli action and demand that Tel Aviv immediately release the Palestinian officials, including some ministers and legislators, it arrested recently," Antara news agency quoted Theo as saying.

The legislator considered the Israeli brutal attacks a reflection of the Jewish country's ambition to invade Palestinian territory and block Palestinian independence.

"The Israeli actions have obviously violated international laws and regulations. Again Israel has taken actions contradicting UN Security Council resolutions on settlement of the Palestinian problem and the Middle East peace process. Israel has also violated international human rights," he said.

Therefore, Theo urged Western countries to immediately help stop Israeli brutality against the Palestinian people.

"All parties, both the European Union and the United States, should try to stop Israel's terrible actions because they are clearly endangering world peace. The Israeli actions must be halted especially if peace is to be created in the Middle East," he said.

He also urged Western countries not to keep silent about the Israeli actions and to lift the embargoes of aid for Palestine so that it could pursue its right to independence.

Theo said Israeli brutality must also be reported to the United Nations and that the Security Council should make a decision to stop the unlawful actions.

The Indonesia government on Friday condemned Israel for its recent military attacks on Palestine and the arrest of Palestinian ministers and parliamentary members.

"The Indonesian government strongly condemns Israel for its military aggression of Palestine and the arrest of a number of Palestinian cabinet ministers and parliamentary members," Foreign Minister Hassan Wirajuda said after a meeting with President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono to discuss the problem.

Source: Xinhua