‘We’re sorry:’ Israel says attack on aid workers due to mistaken identity
Jerusalem, ISRAEL (EFE) – The Israeli military said Wednesday that the killings of seven food aid workers in airstrikes on Gaza had been the result of a mistaken identity and that “should not have happened.”
Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi said in a video message that the strike that killed six World Central Kitchen aid workers and their Palestinian driver on Monday was a “grave mistake.”
People stand near a damaged car of the NGO World Central Kitchen (WCK) along Al Rashid road, between Deir Al Balah and Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip, 02 April 2024. EFE-EPA/MOHAMMED SABER
Their vehicles were struck by Israeli drones when they were traveling along a route south of Deir al-Balah as per a plan pre-approved and coordinated with the Israel Defense Forces.
The killings of aid workers sparked a global outcry with some of Israel’s closest allies, including the United States and the United Kingdom, strongly condemning the incident and demanding a probe.
The incident also prompted multiple charities to suspend food deliveries to displaced Palestinians who are on the brink of starvation.
“The IDF completed a preliminary debrief. I want to be very clear, the strike was not carried out with the intention of harming WCK aid workers,” Halevi said.
“It was a mistake that followed a mis-identification at night during the war in a very complex conditions. It shouldn’t have happened.”
The IDF Chief of the General said Israel was at war with Hamas and “not with the people of Gaza.”
“We are sorry for the unintentional harm to the members of WCK. We share the grief of the families as well as the entire World Central Kitchen organization from the bottom of our hearts.”
He said an independent body would investigate the incident thoroughly, promising that the probe would be completed “in the next coming days.”
The non-profit group said its team had been traveling in a convoy branded with the WCK logo, and despite coordinating movements with the IDF, it was hit as it was leaving a Deir al-Balah warehouse.
The workers had unloaded more than 100 tons of humanitarian food aid brought to Gaza by sea.
The seven killed were from Australia, Poland, the United Kingdom, a dual citizen of the US and Canada, and Palestine, WCK said. EFE
Seven food aid workers killed in Israeli air strike in Gaza, says NGO
Los Angeles/Sydney (EFE) – Seven food aid workers have been killed in an alleged Israeli air strike on its convoy in Gaza, American NGO World Central Kitchen (WCK) said early Tuesday.
Late Monday, the WCK said it was “aware of reports” that members of its team had “been killed in an IDF [Israel Defense Forces] attack” and a Palestinian driver and four foreign staff had been confirmed dead by the Hamas government’s Gaza media office.
However, a later statement from the WCK said it was “devastated to confirm seven members of our team have been killed in an IDF strike in Gaza.”
The team had been traveling in a convoy branded with the WCK logo, it said, and despite coordinating movements with the IDF, it was hit as it was leaving a Deir al-Balah warehouse, where the team had unloaded more than 100 tons of humanitarian food aid brought to Gaza by sea.
The seven killed were from Australia, Poland, the United Kingdom, a dual citizen of the US and Canada, and Palestine, WCK said.
Destroyed cars of the NGO World Central Kitchen (WCK) sit along Al Rashid road, between Deir Al Balah and Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip, 02 April 2024. EFE/EPA/MOHAMMED SABER
“I am heartbroken and appalled that we – World Central Kitchen and the world – lost beautiful lives today because of a targeted attack by the IDF,” said WCK CEO Erin Gore in a statement.
“This is not only an attack against WCK, this is an attack on humanitarian organizations showing up in the most dire of situations where food is being used as a weapon of war. This is unforgivable.”
The NGO has now paused its operations in the region.
The four are believed to be the first foreign aid workers killed in Gaza since the war began on Oct. 7, and which has already killed more than 32,800 people in the territory, most of them women and children.
At least some of the bodies were transferred to Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir al-Balah, according to medical sources and footage posted to social media in which several were wearing black bulletproof vests and helmets, with the WCK logo on their clothing. The footage also showed medics displaying the passports of the staff.
The IDF said it was “conducting a thorough review at the highest levels to understand the circumstances of this tragic incident,” and that it has worked “closely with WCK in their vital efforts to provide food and humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza.”
Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese named the Australian killed as Zomi Frankcom and demanded full accountability from Israel.
Clothes of members of the NGO World Central Kitchen (WCK) are seen inside their destroyed car along Al Rashid road, between Deir Al Balah and Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip, 02 April 2024. EFE/EPA/MOHAMMED SABER EPA-EFE/MOHAMMED SABER
“Those doing humanitarian work and civilians need to be provided with protection,” he said at a press conference.
“This news today is tragic (…) We want full accountability for this, this is a tragedy that should never have occurred.”
Albanese said the Department of Foreign Affairs had requested a call-in from the Israeli ambassador and that Canberra had contacted the Israeli government directly.
WCK founder and Spanish chef José Andrés said on X late Monday that the WCK “lost several of our sisters and brothers in an IDF air strike in Gaza.”
“I am heartbroken and grieving for their families and friends and our whole WCK family. These are people … angels … I served alongside in Ukraine, Gaza, Turkey, Morocco, Bahamas, Indonesia. They are not faceless … they are not nameless,” he wrote.
On Mar. 15, WCK participated in the delivery of 200 tons of food and water to Gaza, inaugurating a maritime corridor aboard the Open Arms ship, despite calls from the international community and other humanitarian organizations that only the mass arrival of food by land will alleviate an imminent famine in Gaza. EFE
Iran says US responsible for deadly attack on its Syria consulate
Tehran, IRAN (EFE) – Iran on Tuesday pointed the finger at the United States for an airstrike that razed its consulate in Syria and killed two Iranian generals and five Revolutionary Guard officers in Damascus.
Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian summoned the Swiss ambassador, who represents the US in Tehran, to deliver a stern message regarding the assault on Monday in the Syrian capital.
While Iran and Syria have accused Israel of the strike, Amir-Abdollahian squarely placed the blame on the US, highlighting it as Israel’s primary ally and arms provider.
He said he discussed the magnitude of “the terrorist attack and the crimes committed by the Israeli regime” with the Swiss ambassador, “with a focus on emphasizing the responsibility of the American government.”
“An important message has been conveyed to the American government, given its support for the Zionist regime. America must be held accountable.”
Describing the attack as a “violation of all international obligations and conventions,” the foreign minister urged a “serious response” from the international community.
The airstrike leveled the Iranian consulate building in Damascus, claiming the lives of seven Revolutionary Guard members, including Brigadier General Mohammed Reza Zahedi, chief of the Quds Force in Syria and Lebanon, and his deputy, Brigadier General Mohammed Hadi Haj Rahimi.
It marked the deadliest assault on Iranian military personnel in Syria this year.
“This is perhaps the first time that the Zionist regime allows itself to attack an official building of the Islamic Republic of Iran embassy, which had the flag of the Islamic Republic raised on top of it,” said Akbari, vowing a “decisive response.”
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Nasser Kanaani warned that Tehran reserved “the right to take reciprocal measures and will decide the type of response and punishment against the aggressor.”
Iran has been a pivotal ally of Damascus in the Syrian conflict, deploying troops, and military advisers, and extending economic and political support to its key regional ally.
On the other hand, the bitter ties between Iran and Israel have escalated, characterized by mutual existential threats, as they vie for regional hegemony and engage in covert confrontations, including cyberattacks, assassinations, and sabotage. EFE
2024’s Easter is March 31 this year, What is the meaning of Easter Eggs
New Delhi, INDIA (DT/AP) – On Easter morning, many Christians wake before dawn to celebrate their belief in the resurrection of Jesus, the son of God — as the sun rises.
They gather outside on beaches and church lawns, in local cemeteries and national parks, marking the holy day at the very core of Christianity. For the majority of the world’s Christians, Easter Sunday — and in turn, the sunrise service tradition — will be observed on March 31 this year.
Easter is not a fixed date. It swings between March 22 and April 25 based on a calendar calculation involving the moon.
The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops explains further: “Easter is celebrated on the first Sunday after the Paschal full moon, which is the first full moon occurring either on or after the spring equinox (March 21).”
That means sunrise service attendees will be waking up early on the last day of March this year.
What is the meaning of Easter Eggs
Regardless of religious affiliation, Easter is a time marked by traditions that have origins in non-Christian, pagan, or secular customs. Many individuals who do not follow Christianity still partake in these traditions while focusing less on the religious context of the holiday.
One such example is the tradition of Easter eggs, along with associated activities like egg rolling and egg decoration. Eggs historically symbolized fertility and new life in pagan practices that predate Christianity. The incorporation of egg decorating into Easter festivities may be a nod to the religious significance of the holiday, specifically Jesus’ resurrection or symbolic rebirth.
Another common practice during Easter is egg hunts, where decorated eggs are hidden for children to find. One of the most renowned Easter events for children is the White House Easter Egg Roll, an annual tradition where children roll Easter eggs down Capitol Hill.
What is mean of Easter Bunny
In certain households, children wake up on Easter Sunday to find candy and chocolate eggs delivered by a character known as the Easter Bunny. These treats often come nestled in an Easter basket.
The exact origins of the Easter Bunny tradition remain unclear, but some historians suggest it came to America with German immigrants during the 1700s. Rabbits are often associated with fertility in various cultures, making the appearance of baby bunnies in spring symbolic of birth and rejuvenation.
Interestingly, some Protestant Christian denominations, such as Lutherans and Quakers, have chosen to discontinue several Easter traditions due to their pagan origins. Nevertheless, many religious Easter observers continue to embrace these traditions as part of their celebrations.
Easter foods are rich in symbolism, too. Lamb is a common dish for Easter dinner, with historical ties to Jewish traditions where lambs were sacrificial animals. This association is further linked to Passover, and the phrase “lamb of God” is sometimes used in reference to Jesus and the sacrificial nature of his death.
Today, Easter is a commercial event as well as a religious holiday, marked by high sales for greeting cards, candies (such as Peeps, chocolate eggs and chocolate Easter bunnies) and other gifts.
Religious Tradition of the Easter
The New Testament of the Bible narrates the resurrection of Jesus, a pivotal event that forms the cornerstone of Christian faith. Consequently, Easter holds immense significance on the Christian calendar.
As per the New Testament accounts, Jesus was apprehended by Roman authorities primarily due to his assertion of being the “Son of God,” although historians debate this motive, suggesting that the Romans may have perceived him as a threat to their rule.
Greece was illuminated on Easter Eve last year in 2023. Photo: Georgios Tsichlis/Shutterstock
Pontius Pilate, the Roman prefect in Judea from A.D. 26 to 36, sentenced Jesus to death by crucifixion. This event, commemorated as Good Friday in Christianity (observed the Friday before Easter), was followed by his resurrection three days later. The gospel authors assert that this resurrection validates Jesus’ divine nature as the Son of God.
All four gospels in the New Testament—Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John—affirm that believers in Jesus’ death and resurrection receive “the gift of eternal life.” This promise signifies that those with faith will be welcomed into the “Kingdom of Heaven” upon their earthly passing.
Note: This report has been automatically generated by History TV. Diplomat Times does not assume responsibility for its content.
8 migrants apparently from Asia die in apparent boat accident off Mexico’s southern Pacific coast
MEXICO CITY (AP) — The bodies of eight migrants, apparently from Asia, were found after a boat accident off Mexico’s southern Pacific coast, authorities said Friday.
Prosecutors in the southern state of Oaxaca said one survivor, an Asian man, was located. Based on preliminary investigations, the dead appeared to have been from Asia, they said.
The bodies were found near a beach in the town of Playa Vicente, which is about 250 miles (400 kilometers) east of Mexico’s border with Guatemala. The causes of the boat accident were under investigation.
The area is a key route for migrants seeking to cross Mexico to reach the U.S. border. Most migrants travel by land, but some pay to make the journey by sea seeking to avoid immigration checkpoints inside Mexico.
Antigua and Barbuda Takes Center Stage in Global Climate Action with Landmark ICJ Submissions
The Hague, NETHERLANDS (DT) — Antigua and Barbuda, a resilient small island nation in the Caribbean, has catapulted onto the global stage in its pursuit of climate justice. Today, the country made history by submitting written arguments to the International Court of Justice (ICJ), seeking an Advisory Opinion on the Obligations of States in respect of Climate Change. This pivotal move signals the first step in a legal process aimed at obtaining a clear framework of obligations for nations amidst the escalating climate crisis.
Navigating legal strategies during a climate crisis
Antigua and Barbuda sees this Advisory Opinion as an opportunity for the ICJ to delineate the imperative for States to elevate their climate ambitions and intensify efforts in critical areas of mitigation, adaptation, finance, and technical support.
Hon. Gaston Browne, Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda, lauded the advocacy efforts of small island developing states like Vanuatu and Tuvalu, emphasizing their pivotal role in championing this cause and notes that “there needs to be fair and equitable treatment of nations disproportionately impacted by climate change despite minimal contributions to its genesis. This is the essence of climate justice.”
Worldwide backing for climate activism
Ambassador Boris Latour of Antigua and Barbuda emphasized the existential threat facing small island states, remarking, “Without urgent climate action, most, if not all, island states will disappear. This historic submission underscores our nation’s steadfast commitment to safeguarding our planet for future generations and reaffirms our dedication to multilateralism and the rule of law.”
Ambassador Boris Latour of Antigua and Barbuda addresses the press after a meeting at the ICJ. Photo : Embassy of Antigua and Barbuda to France
He emphasized the critical need to utilize every available avenue to address this crisis with urgency. This landmark submission not only highlights the urgency of climate action but also signifies a historic moment for Antigua and Barbuda and many other developing nations participating in ICJ proceedings for the first time.
Existential peril faced by small island nations
The gravity of the climate crisis reverberates globally, transcending geographical boundaries and necessitating collective action. The outcomes of this legal process will shape international efforts to combat climate change, ensuring equitable treatment for nations disproportionately impacted by its effects.
Antigua and Barbuda acknowledges the legal expertise provided by Sidley Austin LLP, enabling its participation in these proceedings. Additionally, the state is represented within the Commission of Small Island States (COSIS), amplifying its voice on the international stage.
While initiated by Vanuatu and adopted by the UN General Assembly on March 29, 2023, the pursuit of an Advisory Opinion on climate obligations underscores a shared global responsibility.
The submissions from diverse nations underscore the universal significance of climate justice and the imperative for concerted action. With the guidance of H.E. Boris Latour, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Antigua and Barbuda to the UNOG and UNOV, the delegation from Antigua and Barbuda include:
H.E. Colin Murdoch, Ambassador and Permanent Observer of OECS to the UNOG Mr. Zachary Phillips, Agent to ICJ for Antigua and Barbuda in the Advisory Opinion proceedings, Mr. Timothée Bauer, Deputy Permanent Representative in the Permanent Mission of Antigua and Barbuda to UNOG and UNOV, Mr. Joel Richards, Counsellor in the OECS Permanent Mission to the UNOG.
The death toll in the Moscow concert hall attack rises to 143, while 80 others remain hospitalized
Moscow, RUSSIA (AP) — The death toll from last week’s Moscow concert hall attack rose to 143, Russian authorities said Wednesday. Around 80 other people wounded in the siege by gunmen remain hospitalized.
The Friday night massacre in Crocus City Hall, a sprawling shopping and entertainment venue on the northwestern outskirts of Moscow, was the deadliest extremist attack on Russian soil in nearly two decades. At least four gunmen toting automatic rifles shot at thousands of concertgoers and set the venue on fire.
An affiliate of the Islamic State group claimed responsibility for the violence, while U.S. intelligence said it had information confirming the group was responsible. French President Emmanuel Macron said France also has intelligence pointing to “an IS entity” as responsible for the attack.
The updated fatalities from Russia’s Emergencies Ministry didn’t state the number of wounded, but Health Minister Mikhail Murashko said earlier Wednesday that 80 people were in hospitals and another 205 had sought medical treatment from the attack.
In this photo taken from video released by Russian Emergency Ministry Press Service on Tuesday, March 26, 2024, rescuers work in the burned concert hall after a terrorists attack on the building of the Crocus City Hall on the western edge of Moscow, Russia. (Russian Emergency Ministry Press Service via AP)
Russia’s Federal Security Service, or the FSB, said it had arrested 11 people the day after the attack, including four suspected gunmen. The four men, identified as Tajik nationals, appeared in a Moscow court on Sunday on terrorism charges and showed signs of severe beatings. One appeared to be barely conscious during the hearing.
Russian officials, however, have insisted that Ukraine and the West had a role, claims that Kyiv vehemently denies. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy accused Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin of trying to drum up fervor as his forces fight in Ukraine.
FSB chief Alexander Bortnikov has also alleged, without providing evidence, that Western spy agencies could have been involved. He repeated Putin’s claim that the four gunmen were trying to escape to Ukraine when they were arrested, casting it as proof of Kyiv’s alleged involvement.
Toys and flowers lie in front of the Crocus City Hall on the western outskirts of Moscow, Russia, Wednesday, March 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko)
But that assertion was undercut by Belarus’ authoritarian president, Alexander Lukashenko, who said Tuesday that the suspects were headed for Ukraine because they feared tight controls on the Belarus border.
The Islamic State group, which lost much of its territory following Russia’s military action in Syria after 2015, has long targeted Russia. In October 2015, a bomb planted by IS downed a Russian jetliner over the Sinai desert, killing all 224 people aboard, most of them Russian vacationers returning from Egypt.
The group, which operates mainly in Syria and Iraq but also in Afghanistan and Africa, also has claimed several attacks in Russia’s volatile Caucasus and other regions in the past years. It has recruited fighters from Russia and other parts of the former Soviet Union.
The United States warned Moscow two weeks before the massacre about a possible imminent attack. Three days before the tragedy, Putin denounced the U.S. Embassy’s notice on March 7 urging Americans to avoid crowds in Moscow, including concerts, calling it an attempt to frighten Russians and “blackmail” the Kremlin before the Russian presidential election.
Bortnikov said Russia was thankful for the warning but described it as very general.
Envoys Of Five Nations Present Credentials To President Of India
New Delhi, INDIA (PTI/DT) – President Droupadi Murmu of India formally accepted the credentials of several diplomats from different countries during a ceremony held at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Wednesday, as confirmed by a press release from the presidential residence.
Secretary (West) Amb. Pawan Kapoor poses for a photo with envoys from five nations in New Delhi on Wednesday, March 27, 2024. Photo credit: @AmbKapoor
Among those who presented their credentials were Josel Francisco Ignacio, Ambassador of the Republic of the Philippines; Sardor Rustambaev, Ambassador of the Republic of Uzbekistan; and Mikhail Kasko, Ambassador of the Republic of Belarus.
The official statement from Rashtrapati Bhavan read, “President Droupadi Murmu received credentials from Mr Josel Francisco Ignacio, Ambassador of the Republic of the Philippines; Mr Sardor Rustambaev, Ambassador of the Republic of Uzbekistan; and Mr Mikhail Kasko, Ambassador of the Republic of Belarus at Rashtrapati Bhavan.”
President Droupadi Murmu received credentials from Mr Josel Francisco Ignacio, Ambassador of the Republic of Philippines; Mr Sardor Rustambaev, Ambassador of the Republic of Uzbekistan; and Mr Mikhail Kasko, Ambassador of the Republic of Belarus at Rashtrapati Bhavan. pic.twitter.com/HIJK88l7fS
Additionally, Peter Maina Munyiri, High Commissioner of the Republic of Kenya, and Vakhtang Jaoshvili, Ambassador of Georgia, were also among the diplomats who presented their credentials to President Murmu during the ceremony, as per the press release.
India summons US diplomat over comments on opposition leader’s arrest
New Delhi, INDIA (EFE/DT) – India on Wednesday summoned US diplomat Gloria Berbena to convey its “strong objection” to recent comments by Washington on the arrest of an opposition leader just weeks ahead of the general elections.
The comments came in the wake of the arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) over accusations of financial irregularities.
Berbena, US’ Acting Deputy Chief of Mission, was summoned by the Indian authorities, Indian foreign ministry official Vasudev Ravi told EFE.
“We take strong objection to the remarks of the Spokesperson of the US State Department about certain legal proceedings in India,” said a statement by the Indian Ministry of External Affairs.
In this video, Gloria Berbena, the Acting Deputy Chief of Mission for the US, can be observed entering the office of the Ministry of External Affairs in New Delhi.
#Watch | The Ministry of External Affairs in Delhi summoned the US' Acting Deputy Chief of Mission Gloria Berbena, today. The meeting lasted for approximately 40 minutes pic.twitter.com/qjMvtChFzp
On Tuesday, a spokesman for the US State Department stressed the need for a “fair, transparent and timely” legal process for Kejriwal, arrested last week by the ED, controlled by the federal government.
“India’s legal processes are based on an independent judiciary which is committed to objective and timely outcomes. Casting aspersions on that is unwarranted,” the statement added.
The summoning of the US official comes days after New Delhi also summoned the deputy head of the German embassy on Saturday to convey its disapproval of comments from Berlin about Kejriwal’s arrest.
Kejriwal, leader of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), was arrested less than four weeks before the start of the general elections over alleged irregularities in the state’s excise policy to hand over the alcohol market to private companies.
An alliance of opposition parties formed ahead of the elections, led by the grand old Indian Congress Party (INC), and of which the AAP is a part, has denounced the arrest claiming it was politically motivated. EFE
Supreme court of Indonesia hears election appeals of candidates who lost and want a revote
Jakarta, INDONESIA (AP) — Indonesia’s top court heard appeals lodged by two losing presidential candidates who are demanding a revote, alleging widespread irregularities and fraud at the polls in appearances before the judges Wednesday.
Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto won the election with an overwhelming margin: 58.6%, or more than 96 million votes, according to the General Election Commission — more than twice the runner-up’s share in the three-way race.
But the losing candidates — Former Jakarta Gov. Anies Baswedan and former Central Java Gov. Ganjar Pranowo — argue that the election was marred by irregularities throughout the campaign. They’re asking the Constitutional Court to annul the election results and order a revote, in separate lawsuits.
Both candidates presented parts of their cases in person, focusing on allegations that the court itself, as well as outgoing President Joko Widodo, bent laws and norms to support Subianto.
“We witness with deep concern a series of irregularities that have tarnished the integrity of our democracy,” Baswedan told the court.
Losing presidential candidate Anies Baswedan, right, talks to journilst as his runing mate Muhaimin Iskandar listens upon their arrival for earing appeals against the presidential election results, which were lodged by losing candidates, at the Constitutional Court in Jakarta, Indonesia, Wednesday, March 27, 2024. Photo : Achmad Ibrahim/AP
Dozens of protesters held a peaceful but noisy rally near the court building, declaring that they would oversee the trial. Authorities blocked streets leading to the court where about 400 police were deployed in and around the building.
Indonesian presidents are expected to stay neutral in races to succeed them, but Subianto, a longtime former rival of Widodo who twice lost elections to him before joining his government, ran as his successor. He even chose Widodo’s son, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, as running mate, even though Raka did not meet a constitutional requirement that candidates be at least 40 years old.
Baswedan and Pranowo argue that Raka should have been disqualified, and are asking the court to bar him from a revote. Before the election, the Constitutional Court made a controversial exception to the minimum age that allowed him to run, under the leadership of then-chief justice Anwar Usman, who is Widodo’s brother in law. Usman was later forced to resign as chief justice for failing to recuse himself.
“The Constitutional Court was designed to guard the constitution and stem arbitrariness, not to legitimize fraud and crime,” said Todung Mulya Lubis, a prominent lawyer who led Pranowo’s legal team, “This election is an opportunity for the Constitutional Court to reclaim its authority and dignity.”
Losing presidential candidate Anies Baswedan, left, and his runing mate Muhaimin Iskandar wave at the media prior to the start of the First hearing of their legal challenge to the Feb.14 presidential election alleging widespread fraud, at the Constitutional Court in Jakarta, Indonesia, Wednesday, March 27, 2024. Photo : Dita Alangkara/AP
Baswedan also said that regional officials were pressured or given rewards to influence political choices, and that state social assistance was used as “a transactional tool to help one of the candidates.”
Hefty social aid from the government was disbursed in the middle of the campaign — far more than the amounts spent during the COVID-19 pandemic — and Widodo distributed funds in person in a number of provinces.
“If we do not make corrections, the practices that occurred recently will be considered normal and become habits, then become culture, and ultimately become national character,” Baswedan said before the eight-judge panel.
On Tuesday, Subianto himself twice went to the top court to challenge the results of elections he lost to Widodo, but the court rejected his claims as groundless both times. Subianto refused to accept the results of the 2019 presidential election, leading to violence that left seven dead in Jakarta.
Baswedan had the first turn before the court in the morning, while Pranowo spoke in the afternoon.
“What shocked us all, what really destroyed morale, was the abuse of power,” Pranowo told the court, “When the government uses all state resources to support certain candidates, when the security forces are used to defend personal political interests, then it is time for us to take a firm stand to reject all forms of intimidation and oppression.”
Chief Justice Suhartoyo, who like many Indonesians uses a single name, adjourned the hearing until Thursday, when Subianto and the General Election Commission will respond. The verdict, expected on April 22, cannot be appealed.
The case will be decided by eight justices instead of the full nine-member court because Usman, who is still on the court as an associate justice, is required to recuse himself.
