Foreign Minister Sugiono Affirms Israel Must Guarantee Supply Of Basic Needs So As Not To Take Collective Punishment In Gaza

JAKARTA - Indonesian Foreign Minister Sugiono asked Israel to ensure supplies of basic needs so as not to carry out collective penalties in the Gaza Strip, Palestine, when giving Advisory Opinion at the International Court (ICJ) trial in The Hague, Netherlands, Wednesday.

Opening the Indonesian government's verbal statement at the ICJ hearing today, Foreign Minister Sugiono emphasized that Indonesia will always stand with the Palestinian people until independence is achieved.

The Indonesian Foreign Minister said that Indonesia's commitment and deep ties to the Palestinian people are rooted in humanity, their right to live in peace in their own homeland.

"Indonesia prioritizes the importance of international law and has strong faith, this honorable Court decision will guide the General Assembly and its member states in providing justice to the Palestinian people who are persecuted and oppressed," Foreign Minister Sugiono said in a speech, citing a manuscript shared by the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Wednesday 30 April.

The Foreign Minister further said that although many countries, including Indonesia, said no country should be above the law, Israel continues to carry out malicious policies and actions in Palestinian occupied territories, not respecting international law.

Furthermore, the Indonesian Foreign Minister said that Israel as a member of the United Nations has an obligation to comply with its commitment to accept and carry out obligations regulated by the UN Charter.

"Israel's continued abuses and failures to fulfill its obligations under international law raise questions about its suitability to be referred to as a peace-loving country, a prerequisite for UN membership," said Foreign Minister Sugiono.

He said Israel must respect the presence of the United Nations, including UNRWA, facilitate and provide assistance to the United Nations, implement the decisions of the International Court's Security Council and decisions.

Foreign Minister Sugiono said, as a occupation force in Palestinian territories, including the Gaza Strip, Israel has more legal obligations than the general duties of all countries under international law.

Referring to the Fourth Geneva Convention which regulates the protection of civilians during armed and occupation conflicts, placing special obligations on Israel related to the needs of the Palestinian people. Israel is bound to carry out this obligation.

"Indonesia asks Israel to at least, first, ensure the supply of basic supplies; second, receive and facilitate assistance schemes; third, maintain medical services and protect humanitarian personnel; fourth, do not carry out collective penalties; fifth, do not forcibly transfer and deport civilian populations," said Foreign Minister Sugiono.

The Indonesian Foreign Minister said Israel's obligation as Population Power was also based on international human rights law, particularly the International Convention on Civil and Political and International Covenan Rights on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, which Israel is on the part of the country.

Foreign Minister Sugion on this occasion reiterated that the essence of the Palestinian issue is the right to self-determine, basic principles of modern international law as regulated in the UN Charter and the 1955 Bandung Conference (Aso-Africa Conference).

"The reality at present is contradictory. The world is clearly witnessing the systematic destruction of civilian infrastructure and hospitals in Gaza. This action actively hinders the spread of the Palestinian people and hinders their right to determine their own political, socio-economic and cultural status," explained Foreign Minister Sugiono.

"Given these facts, Indonesia firmly submitted to the court, Israel must fulfill the right of the Palestinian people to determine its own destiny," he stressed.

"Indonesia respectfully proposes to honorable judges that international law must be prioritized and justice must be delivered properly," concluded Foreign Minister Sugiono.

It is known, this is the second time Indonesia has been asked to convey an advisory opinion about the situation in Palestine, especially the Gaza Strip. Last year, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, at that time, Retno Marsudi, appeared at ICJ.

The latest conflict in Gaza broke out on October 7, 2023, when the Palestinian militant group led by Hamas carried out an attack on the south of Israel, killing about 1,200 people and holding 251 others hostage, according to Israeli calculations.

Israel responded to this by blocking, airstrikes, and land operations in the Gaza region. A temporary ceasefire was imposed on January 19. On March 18, Israel resumed its military campaign in the Gaza Strip.

Citing WAFA, the death toll of Palestinians in the Gaza region since the latest conflict broke out has reached 52,400 people, while injured victims reached 118,014 people. The majority of victims were children and women.