Fadli Zon Emphasizes That the Indonesian Government Must Participate in Sharpening Israel's Indictment at the International Court of Justice

JAKARTA - Fadli Zon, Chairman of the Inter-Parliamentary Cooperation Agency (BKSAP) Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI) and Deputy President of the Al-Quds n Palestine Parliamentary League, expressed Indonesia's support for the 5th Emergency Session of the OIC Parliament and the meeting of the Special Commission for Palestine of the Asian Parliament.

Previously, South Africa recently took firm steps by filing a lawsuit with the International Court of Justice (ICJ) against Israel, accusing the country of committing genocide against the Gaza population. This step received full support from Indonesia, which has voiced and supported the lawsuit in various international forums.

Legal effort

As Chairman of the DPR RI Delegation, Fadli Zon proposed concrete steps that must be taken by the OIC Parliament and the Asian Parliament to support the legal efforts being undertaken by South Africa.

“For months we have watched millions of people pour into the streets around the world to express support for the Palestinian people and express anger against Israel. This is not only happening in the East and South, but also in the United States and all European countries. "However, we also see that all the anger of the world's citizens has been ignored, banned, and even discredited by the leaders of Western countries," said Fadli Zon in a written statement received by VOI in Jakarta, Tuesday, January 23.

South Africa's lawsuit to the ICJ is a significant leap, creating new momentum in efforts to fight for the rights of the Palestinian people. The ICJ, as a judicial institution under the auspices of the United Nations, is a potential platform for resolving this controversy.

The facts of the humanitarian tragedy in Gaza, which were ignored by many Western leaders, are now receiving serious attention through this lawsuit. South Africa accused Israel of five "acts of genocide," including mass murder, forced displacement, and the destruction of Gaza's health care system.

“Since October 2023, around 25,000 Palestinians have been killed as a result of Israeli attacks, and more than 61,500 people have been seriously injured and seriously disabled. Meanwhile, millions of other Gaza residents are now displaced. "In fact, UN experts themselves say that what is currently taking place in Gaza is a genocide, and 80 percent of the world's famine cases and humanitarian tragedies are actually in Gaza," explained Fadli Zon.

In Fadli Zon's view, the support of the international community, which has been ignored by Western leaders, could be a key factor in changing political and legal attitudes towards the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. However, so far, this support has not been fully reflected in the official stance of Western governments.

Responding to South Africa's lawsuit, the Indonesian government has taken concrete steps. The Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has sent its written views to the ICJ, and the Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs is scheduled to deliver his oral views on February 19, 2024. This step is considered important in strengthening the ICJ's argument in providing an advisory opinion to the UN General Assembly.

In a coordination meeting between BKSAP and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the DPR encouraged the government to consider more concrete economic instruments, such as a boycott or banning Israeli ships from entering Indonesian waters. It is hoped that these steps will strengthen Indonesia's diplomatic position, showing active involvement in the issue of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Apart from diplomatic steps, Fadli appreciated Indonesia's attitude in providing humanitarian support to the people of Gaza. The Ministry of Defense released the assistance of the Hospital Ship KRI dr. Radjiman Wedyodiningkrat 992, which will provide health services to Gaza residents. This ship carries medical equipment, medicine, blankets, baby equipment, and food.

With synergy between the DPR and the government, Fadli Zon hopes that Indonesia can play a significant role in supporting legal and humanitarian efforts related to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. These steps are part of Indonesia's commitment to promoting peace and justice at the international level.