President Jokowi Opens 5th Extraordinary OIC Summit
: President Jokowi opens the 5th Extraordinary OIC Summit at JCC, Senayan, Monday (7/3)
President Joko Jokowi Widodo on Monday (7/3) at the Jakarta Convention Center (JCC) officially opened the 5th Extraordinary Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Summit on Palestine and Al-Quds Al-Sharif.
In his remarks at the opening ceremony, President Jokowi said that recent development of global security and political situation should not distract the international community from the Palestines issue.
All of us here and the world are concerned about the worsening situation in Palestine in recent days. There are many illegal and unilateral policies. In addition, collective punishments that Israel has imposed have brought more difficulties to the peoples of Palestine. Access for Moslems to Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem has also been restricted, President Jokowi said.
Therefore, President Jokowi urged the international community to be united to support to the struggle of the Palestinians.
Together, we have to face the situation. We have to be united. Palestinians must also be united, the President said.
The President specifically urged members of the OIC to be parts of the solution to the problems in Palestine.
OIC was established to support the independence of Palestine. Therefore, in accordance with the Summits theme United for a Just Solution, OIC must be a part of the solution. If OIC cannot be part of the solution to the issues of Palestine, its presence is no longer relevant. Once again, no longer relevant, the President said before world leaders and delegates attending the Summit.
The President added that during the Informal Gathering on Strengthening Solidarity and Cooperation in the Islamic World held on the sidelines of the 50th Anniversary of the Asia Africa Conference held in Jakarta in April 2015, participants of the meeting agreed that the Palestines issue is one of the challenges that have to be faced by the Islamic World.
President Jokowi went on to say that OIC must put side differences and always push for the settlement of the conflict peacefully.
OIC, the President said, needs to continue its cooperation on the fight against terrorism, extremism, and radicalism without sacrificing the struggles of the peoples of Palestine.
Therefore, he added, unity among members of the OIC on the issues of Palestine is a must.
This Summit is an important momentum for the Islamic World to respond to the situation faced by the peoples of Palestine these days with concrete steps, the President said.
President Jokowi further said that tolerance level of the international community to the continued Israels illegal occupation of the Palestinian territory has long ended.
As part of the international community, Israel must immediately stop its illegal activities and policies in the occupied territories, President Jokowi said.
He also called on the Palestinian people to be united and reconcile.
Indonesia and the Islamic World, the President said, are ready to take concrete measures to urge Israel to end its occupation in Palestinian territories and to stop its illegal actions in Al-Quds Al-Sharif.
In order to realize the goal, the Islamic World needs supports from the UN in accordance with its roles and responsibilities, the President said.
The Islamic world would like to renew its call so that the peace process will not be delayed to realize the Independent Palestine through the Two-State Solution, the President said. (FID/DND)
