Thank PM Mohammad Shtayyeh, Bamsoet Reaffirms Indonesia's Support For Palestine's Independence

JAKARTA - The 16th chairman of the MPR RI, Bambang Soesatyo, reiterated the Indonesian people for Palestinian independence. This was said by Bamsoet after receiving the 2019-2024 Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh in Jakarta, Sunday, August 25, 2024.

He also expressed deep concern and strongly condemned the atrocities and brutality of Israeli attacks that were still ongoing.

Data as of August 22, 2024, recorded that there were 40,265 Palestinians who died and 93,144 injured. Where the majority of civilian casualties are women and children.

Israel's aggression also caused the human development index in Gaza to be 20 years behind due to Israeli aggression. In addition, 1.7 million people or more than 75 percent of Gazans were expelled from their homes.

"Indonesia's attitude is still firm in supporting Palestine in realizing its independence. Indonesia is also grateful that currently there is more international support for Palestine. As of June 2024, 145 countries from 193 UN countries have recognized Palestine as a country. Increased support also comes from European countries, of which 12 of the 27 European countries have recognized the Palestinian state," said Bamsoet.

Present included the Palestinian Ambassador to Indonesia Zuhair Alshun and Part of the International Relations of the Palestinian Fatah Group Zayoud Faraj.

The chairman of the 20th DPR RI and the Chairman of Commission III of the 7th DPR RI in the fields of Law, Human Rights and Security explained that Indonesia always strives for parliamentary diplomacy to encourage the recognition of Palestinian sovereignty by Asian countries, especially ASEAN. Where currently Indonesia and Malaysia in July 20204, have initiated the establishment of the Southeast Asian Parliamentary Forum for Palestine Independence.

In the multilateral forum, since 2012 Palestine has been officially ratified as a non-member observer of the UN state through the UN General Assembly Resolution, where Indonesia has become the co-sponsor of the resolution. This has a symbolic and strategic meaning for Palestine, as an international recognition of the existence of a Palestinian state.

"Since September 30, 2015, the Palestinian flag has also officially flown at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, thanks to the support of the majority of UN member countries. Of course, including Indonesia," said Bamsoet.

The chairman of the SOKSI Depinas Board of Trustees (Ormas Founder of the Golkar Party) and the Head of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Security, explained that efforts through the forums of OKI countries were also carried out by Indonesia in ending Israel's military aggression against Gaza since October 7, 2023.

On November 11, 2023, Indonesian President Joko Widodo attended the Extraordinary Arab-OKI League Association Summit in Riyadh which agreed on a resolution, among others, urging the immediate entry of humanitarian aid, encouraging Israeli crime investigations, mandated the Indonesian foreign minister as one of the special envoys of the Arab-OKI League Commission to start the peace process.

As a follow-up to the Extraordinary Summit, special envoys made diplomatic visits to permanent member countries of the UN Security Council on 20-22 November 2023, including China, Russia, Britain and France.

Special envoys also met a number of high-ranking leaders of international organizations such as the Secretary-General of the United Nations, the Director-General of WHO, the President of the ICRC, and the High Commissioner of Human Rights.

"On March 5, 2024, Indonesia again participated in the OKI Extraordinary Foreign Ministers Conference. As a result, among other things, urged continued UN funding assistance for Palestinian refugees in the Near East, supporting the lawsuit against Israel at the International Court filed by South Africa, and garnering international support for Palestinian membership at the United Nations," Bamsoet explained.

The Deputy Chairperson of the Pancasila Youth and the Deputy Chairperson of the FKPPI added that support for Palestine was also reflected in the 15th OIC Summit which was held in Gambia in May 2024.

The summit agreed on a resolution on Palestine, which among other things condemned the Israeli aggression, urging the cessation of genocide, ethnic cleansing, and war crimes committed by Israel, and urged the cessation of arms supplies to Israel.

"I and all Indonesian people hope that the conflict in Palestine will end soon. In addition, Palestine as a fully sovereign country can be realized soon, and bounce back with development in all fields," concluded Bamsoet.