Jokowi Asks Minister Of Religion Yaqut To Look For Other Alternative Assistance To Palestine, Continues Galang Solidaritas

Minister of Religion Yaqut Cholil Qoumas gave a statement after being received by President Jokowi at the Presidential Palace Complex, Jakarta, Monday (6/11/2023). ANTARA/Indra Arief Pribadi

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) ordered the Minister of Religion (Menag) Yaqut Cholil Qoumas to voice Indonesia's continuous alignment with the Palestinian people's struggle. "This government is on the part of Palestine, the president's order was always conveyed to the public," Yaqut said after being received by President Jokowi at the Presidential Palace Complex, Jakarta, quoted from Antara, Monday, November 6. Jokowi also ordered the Minister of Religion to seek other alternative assistance that could be given to Palestine. On Saturday, the Indonesian government sent humanitarian aid such as food needs, medicines, women's equipment and children for the Palestinian people. "Not only voicing, there are concrete things that can be done other than the assistance provided," he said. According to Yaqut, Indonesia will send further assistance to the Palestinian people. In addition, the Ministry of Religion was also asked to raise community solidarity to help Palestine. "For other things, so that we as ministers at the Ministry of Religion are asked to look for alternatives to raise solidarity with the people," said Yaqut. President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) on Saturday (4/11) released the delivery of humanitarian aid from the Indonesian government to Palestinians in Gaza, including medical devices and food weighing a total of 51.5 tons. "Alhamdulillah, Indonesia's assistance for Palestine will soon be dispatched to El Arish Airport, Egypt and forwarded to Gaza," Jokowi said when releasing aid shipments at the Base Ops Air Base (Lanud) of the Halim Perdanakusuma Air Force, East Jakarta in Jakarta, Saturday morning. The assistance was transported using three aircraft, including two C-130 Hercules aircraft numbered A-1327 and A-1328 from the 31st Air Squadron and 32 Indonesian Air Squadron, as well as one Boeing 737 Garuda Indonesia chartered aircraft. On that occasion, Jokowi reiterated that Indonesia will continue to be together in the struggle of the Palestinians.

"This is a form of Indonesian solidarity, a form of the Indonesian nation's concern for humanity, because the humanitarian tragedy in Gaza is unacceptable must be stopped as soon as possible," said Jokowi.