The relentless Palestine-Israel conflict persists without a resolution in sight. As of January 2024, Anadolu Agency reports a grim toll of 24,100 Palestinian casualties.
Reports also indicate escalating Israeli assaults on Palestine, backed by unwavering US support. This dire situation is compounded by the reluctance of the US and Israel to pursue a ceasefire, leaving hundreds in Gaza vulnerable to the daily loss of life with no prospect of peace.
Professor Sigit Riyanto, an esteemed International Law professor at the UGM Faculty of Law, advocates for Palestine’s right to self-determination and homeland sovereignty. He points out flagrant violations of fundamental legal norms such as genocide, expulsions, and massacres, pre- and post-Israel’s establishment.
Professor Riyanto underscores that while pre-20th-century occupation could be legally justified for territorial expansion, the advent of the United Nations ushered in a shift away from such colonial-era legalities.
“Occupation is no longer a viable path to territorial gains; it’s temporary and must be relinquished,” emphasized Professor Riyanto during a Thursday discourse at the UGM campus (Mar. 14).
Concerning international legal avenues for Palestinian land rights, Professor Riyanto emphasizes that progress remains elusive unless the UN, as the arbiter of inter-country disputes, takes resolute action.
“Persisting rejection of ceasefire initiatives will only perpetuate Palestinian casualties, hindering support even from countries like Indonesia,” he remarked.
On a separate note, Dr. Hasbi Aswar, an International Relations lecturer at UII, contends that the Palestine-Israel strife isn’t rooted in religious conflict between Muslims and Jews. Gaza’s Jewish heritage long predates the conflict but escalated with the emergence of Zionist ideology and British support, sparking territorial disputes.
“Today, Israel exerts control over the majority of Palestinian territories, rendering the two-state dream a mere illusion. What we witness is a de facto one-state reality, with Hamas and Fatah governing the West Bank while Israel maintains control over land, sea, and air,” explained Dr. Aswar.
Given the entrenched colonization spanning over 75 years, a fair territorial division in Palestine seems increasingly improbable, prompting Indonesia’s steadfast commitment to Palestinian independence through various legal avenues, including engagements at the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
The ICJ, a vital UN legal organ, plays a dual role in issuing legal opinions to UN members and resolving interstate disputes, albeit requiring mutual consent from disputing parties to arbitrate.
Author: Tasya
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Image: Freepik