Foreign Minister Urges NAM to Take Measures to Address Palestinian Issue

Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi attends the Extraordinary Meeting of the Non-aligned Movement held online on Tuesday (22/6). (Photo by: Ministry of Foreign Affairs PR)

Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi has urged the Non-aligned Movement (NAM) to take three measures to find solutions to address Israeli occupation of the Palestine and end the recurrence of Israel’s violence.

The Minister made the statement during the Extraordinary Meeting of the Non-aligned Movement on Palestinian Issue held online on Tuesday (22/6).

First, she said, the NAM must support the reimplementation of credible multilateral negotiation.

“A credible political process is the only way to prevent the recurrence of Israeli violence. There has been no peaceful negotiation between Israel and Palestine for a very long time,” she said.

The Minister went on to say that support from the NAM for the peaceful negotiation is crucial and it can be made through existing multilateral platform and will be based on two state solution in line with the internationally agreed parameters.

Second, she said, the NAM must support Palestine’s status as a state.

Since NAM has many member states, the vote does matter internationally, she said.

Therefore, Retno underscored NAM states must share one voice namely supporting the Palestine as a state and supporting the struggle of its people to gain independence.

“We must also encourage other NAM member states and international communities to recognize Palestine as a state,” she said.

Third, the NAM must prevent the recurrence of Israeli violence.

Retno said that during the United Nations (UN) General Assembly’s meeting in May this year, Indonesia proposed an establishment of an international presence in Al-Quds to monitor and ensure the safety of the Palestinian people in the occupied territories.

This international presence also aims to protect Al Haram Al-Sharid’s status as a holy place for three religions. Indonesia expects the NAM to voice similar proposal.

“NAM member states who are also members of the UN Security Council must be at the forefront in pushing the initiative,” she said.

On that occasion, the Minister also underscored that the NAM was established to end imperialism and colonialism. For that reason, the NAM is owing Palestinian people an independence and equal status as other states.

“Our struggle is far from over. However, I believe through cooperation Palestine can gain its independence one day,” she stated.

For the record, the Extraordinary Meeting of the Non-aligned Movement on Palestinian Issue produced a political declaration that condemned Israeli ceasefire violation, reaffirmed statement that Israel’s aggression and annexation against Palestine have violated international law, and encouraged other states to recognize Palestine as a state. (MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS PR/UN) (RAS/EP)