Foreign Minister Appeals OIC Countries to Unite against Israel’s Annexation of West Bank

Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi speaks at the virtual Extraordinary Ministerial Meeting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, Wednesday (10/6). (Photo by: Ministry of Foreign Affairs)

The Indonesian Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudi stressed that Israel’s “de facto” and “formal” annexation of Palestinian territory is unacceptable.

The statement was made by the Minister at a virtual open-ended Extraordinary Ministerial Meeting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), on Wednesday (10/6). The Meeting which was chaired by Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud as the Chair of the OIC’s Executive Committee, discussed the latest situation of the Palestine, particularly the Israel’s plan to annex parts of the territory of the State of Palestine, namely the West Bank as the results of the unity deal signed between Israeli Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Benny Gantz.

On that occasion, Retno said the annexation plan and the COVID-19 pandemic is a double blow for Palestine that threatens peace and stability in the region.

Before other ministers of foreign affairs, she invited the OIC member states to unite and mobilize against the annexation through three strategies:

First, if Israel finally carries on with the formal annexation, the OIC member states with diplomatic relations with Israel should take diplomatic measures which are in line with various resolutions of the Organization.

Second, OIC countries must rally support from international organizations including the United Nations General Assembly, the UN Security Council, and Human Rights Council to reject the annexation plan.

Third, support the resumption of credible multilateral negotiations which are based on the internationally agreed parameters, with the aim to achieve two-state solution, in which Israel and Palestine can live in harmony.

For the record, the Indonesian Government has also rallied global support for Palestine beforehand, among others through sending letters to Foreign Ministers of Non-aligned Movement, G-77, OIC countries, the European Union, and all members of the UN Security Council that stated Indonesia’s firm stance against the Israel’s annexation plan.

All ministers attending the Extraordinary Ministerial Meeting have agreed to take political, legal, and economic measures as their response to the Israel’s annexation plan. (Minister of Foreign Affairs/EN)

Translated by : Rany Anjany
Reviewed by: Yuyu Mulyani