Protesters march in Jakarta  /  file photo

Jakarta, August 3 (RHC)-- Thousands of Pro-Palestinian demonstrators marched to the heavily guarded US Embassy in Indonesia's capital Jakarta on Saturday to protest the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh.

Protesters waved Indonesian and Palestinian flags, held posters showing Haniyeh alongside placards reading "The blood of our leaders is not more valuable than the blood of Palestinian children."  More than 1,300 police were deployed around the compound, which was blocked off by concrete road separators and razor wire as the protest halted traffic along the way.

Indonesia, the world’s most populous Muslim-majority nation, does not have formal diplomatic relations with Israel.  Protesters, organized by Indonesia's People's Alliance Defends Palestine group, chanted "God is Great" and "Freedom for Palestine" as they marched. 

Their banners and placards slammed the siege on Gaza and denounced the United States' staunch support of Israel. Indonesia has long been a strong supporter of Palestinians and President Joko Widodo has condemned the assassination of Haniyeh.