Indonesia Affirms Commitment to Support Palestine at UN Forum

Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi attends the UN Forum on Palestine, at the UN Headquarters, New York, Thursday (4/4). (Photo by: Ministry of Foreign Affairs)

Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi urged other countries to oppose the gradual and inhumane annexation of the Palestinian territories by Israel.

The Minister made her statement at the United Nations (UN) Forum on Palestine adopting the theme “The threat of de facto annexation,” at the UN Headquarters, New York, Thursday (4/4) local time. The theme was in response to Israeli actions in the Palestinian territories now which leads to annexation (land grabbing) that violated international law.

In her keynote speech, she said that in addition to demolition of houses and expulsion of Palestinian residents, Israel put various political, economic and social pressures on the Palestinians, including seizing Palestinian tax revenues, which constitute a large portion of Palestinian income.

“Violence of the authority and Israeli settlers is also increasingly widespread, including the closure of the entrance to the Al-Aqsa Mosque,” the Minister said.

On the occasion, she also reiterated that Palestine is Indonesia’s priority. This year, Indonesia has increased assistance for the UNRWA (United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East) and launched a capacity building program for the Palestinians.

“Indonesia will also hold a special meeting on Palestine during the Presidency at the UN Security Council (UNSC) in May 2019,” she added.

Furthermore, the Minister of Foreign Affairs called on the international community to continue providing humanitarian assistance which has been supporting the lives of the Palestinians.

She further stated that the UN members should not move their embassies to Jerusalem and respect various UNSC resolutions on the Palestinian issue resolution.

In addition, Retno also expressed hope that Palestine will be a full member of the UN. “At present, Palestinians and colonial powers are not in the same position. It is the responsibility of the international community to elevate the Palestine position and protect the rights of the Palestinians,” she said.

At the same occasion, Riyad Mansour, Permanent Observer of  the State of Palestine to the UN, in his speech expressed his appreciation to the Government and the people of Indonesia. “Indonesia is a good friend of Palestine; thank you for all the efforts that have been made by Indonesia to raise the Palestinian issue in the UN forum,” he said. (Ministry of Foreign Affairs/EN)

Translated by : Fairuzzamani Inayatillah
Edited by : Rany A. Subachrum,  Mia M. Bonaedy