Indonesia’s Foreign Minister, Retno Marsudi, stated that the situation in Palestine is deteriorating over time due to ongoing Israeli attacks on Gaza and the weakening role of the UN agency handling Palestinian refugees, UNRWA.
However, Indonesia continues to send humanitarian aid and strives for the recognition of Palestine as a state through diplomatic channels at the UN.
“We still want Palestine to be recognized as a state, despite issues or efforts that hinder its realization; we will always defend Palestine,” said Foreign Minister Marsudi after delivering a public lecture titled “Indonesia’s Diplomacy for Palestine” on Monday (Jun 3) at the UGM Senate Hall.
The Government of Indonesia continues to send humanitarian aid to help Palestinian refugees, whose current aid requirement exceeds 4,500 tons. According to her, the government is ready to send aid whenever necessary.
“We send all aid according to the needs on the ground. As soon as we receive a request, we immediately send humanitarian aid,” Minister Marsudi explained.
Minister Marsudi elaborated that UNRWA currently needs financial assistance to support 6 million Palestinians in Gaza, the West Bank, Jordan, Syria, and Lebanon. Indonesia continues to encourage many parties to support the organization.
“There must be parties pushing for the flow of aid to UNRWA, one of which is Indonesia,” she said.
Regarding Palestine’s membership status at the UN, Minister Marsudi emphasized that Indonesia will continue to fight through the General Assembly and the Security Council for Palestine to be recognized as a state.
“We will use all our influence to ensure there is no veto (in the UN Security Council) and that Palestine gains full membership in the UN. Once again, we are a country at the forefront of defending Palestine,” she stated.
In the public lecture moderated by Muhadi Sugiono, a Department of International Relations lecturer at the UGM Faculty of Social and Political Sciences (Fisipol UGM), Minister Marsudi mentioned that 144 out of 193 UN member states already recognize Palestine. However, 49 countries, mostly from the West, still do not recognize Palestine as a state.
In implementing its foreign political relations policy, Minister Marsudi said that Indonesia consistently upholds universal values to continue supporting and defending the Palestinian people in their quest for an independent state and consistently pushes for an immediate and sustainable ceasefire.
Additionally, Indonesia supports the International Court of Justice (ICJ) decision calling for Israel to cease its attacks and enforce a ceasefire.
“We want this ICJ decision to be obeyed by Israel and for the UN Security Council to make a decision that compels Israel to comply,” she explained.
In discussions with students, Minister Marsudi expressed confidence that the future government will continue supporting Palestine based on humanity and peace.
“Independence is the right of all nations, and therefore, colonialism must be abolished because it is not aligned with humanity and justice,” concluded the minister.
Author: Gusti Grehenson
Photographer: Firsto