President Jokowi: Israel-Palestinian War Potentially Triggers Food And Energy Crisis

Indonesian President Joko Widodo spoke at the VI National Working Meeting (Rakernas) Projo Volunteers (photo: dock. intermediate)

JAKARTA - Indonesian President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) said the war that broke out again between Israel and Palestine has exacerbated the world situation that is facing a food and energy crisis.

"Don't think that such a war doesn't affect us, it really affects us," said Jokowi at the National Working Meeting (Rakernas) VI Projo Volunteers at the Indonesia Arena, Gelora Bung Karno, Jakarta, Saturday, October 14.

After the food crisis sparked by the Russian and Ukrainian wars, the President warned that the Israeli and Palestinian wars could potentially cause an energy crisis with rising fuel oil prices (BBM) around the world.

"Food prices are rising because of the war in Ukraine. This will increase energy prices due to the Palestinian and Israeli wars. The energy prices mean gasoline and Pertamax. I don't want to scare you, but that could happen because if the war doesn't end, the global fuel price will definitely go up," said Jokowi.

In addition to these two problems, the President added that the world is also facing major challenges in climate change whose impacts have been felt by humans in various parts of the world.

"Yesterday, 3-4 months, intense heat occurred throughout the world, including those of us affected by El Nino, not only hot weather, but also affecting the products of our food production," said Jokowi.

Jokowi, who on October 10's 11 opened the Pulau and Islands State Forum (AIS Forum) Summit in Bali, then explained that island and small islands are the most vulnerable to climate change.

"Many of their islands have sunk, so they have felt the impact (of climate change) directly. This is what we must also respond to, meaning that later it will not only be energy and food that is problematic, but because of climate change, the small islands that exist can also sink due to rising sea levels," said Jokowi.

Given the increasing and complex world challenges, Jokowi emphasized that Indonesia's next leader must have a clear tactical vision, have the courage to take risks, and have great courage to face pressure from other countries.