UN Asks ICJ Fatwa On Humanitarian Aid In Gaza, Indonesian Deputy Minister Of Foreign Affairs: Test Case Our Commitment

JAKARTA - Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia, Arrmanatha C. Nasir, said that the application for a legal fatwa submitted by the United Nations to the International Court (ICJ) was a test case of commitment to the principles of the UN Charter and international law.

The UN General Assembly (UNGA) on Thursday passed a resolution asking for a fatwa from the ICJ on Israel's legal obligation to grant access to the United Nations and other organizations in carrying out humanitarian missions to the Palestinian people.

The resolution initiated by Norway, Palestine, Indonesia and a group of other countries (South Africa, Chile, Guyana, Ireland, Malaysia, Egypt, Namibia, Qatar, Slovenia, Spain and Jordan) is also an effort so that all countries and the United Nations continue to assist the Palestinian people in fulfilling their rights to determine their own destiny.

As a member of one of the formulations of Resolution, Indonesia sees the ratification of this Resolution as a step towards accountability and as an effort to enforce international law and multilateral systems.

"This application for a legal fatwa is a test case for our commitment to the principles of the UN Charter and international law," said Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Arrmanatha C. Nasir in a statement from the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Saturday, December 21.

This move is a response to the blockade Israel has carried out on humanitarian aid to Gaza since the conflict began on October 7, 2023.

The resolution titled "Request for an advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice on the obstructions of Israel in relation to the potential and activities of the United Nations, this other international organization and third states" is supported by 137 countries, and has received co-sponsorship from 53 countries, which shows that support for the Palestinian struggle is an issue of concern for the world community.

Currently, UN institutions, especially UNRWA, are very important to help millions of Palestinians, face serious challenges and Palestinians in Gaza, the West Bank, and other regions face extraordinary destruction.

Last October, the Israeli Parliament passed a law prohibiting UNRWA from operating in Israeli territory and occupied Palestinian territory, including the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. That goes into effect later next month.

For Indonesia, these principles are the foundation of a multilateral system built by the United Nations. If the founding countries of the United Nations no longer have a commitment to the principles of the UN Charter and international law, the world will lose confidence and hope in a just multilateral system.