Members Of The House Of Representatives U.N. Desak Send Peace Forces To Palestine After Indonesian Hospital Attacked By Israel

JAKARTA - Member of Commission I of the House of Representatives Sukamta condemned the Israeli military attack on the Indonesian Hospital (RSI) in Beit Lahiya, North Gaza. He urged the Indonesian government to respond firmly to the attack and encourage the United Nations (UN) to send peace forces to Palestine.

"The attack on Indonesian hospitals is not only a heinous act that violates the principles of international humanitarian law, but also a form of harassment against our country," said Sukamta, Thursday, June 5.

Sukamta assessed that the attack on RSI was a gross violation of international law. According to him, the attack was also a symbol of attacks on the sovereignty and humanity of the Indonesian nation.

Moreover, said Sukamta, RSI was built from donations from the Indonesian people through MER-C and is a civilian building that carries out universal humanitarian functions, not the military.

"This building represents Indonesia, standing in the name and honor of the nation. So, Israel must be held accountable before international law," he stressed.

On Monday, June 2, Israeli forces forcibly vacated RSI by expelling medical staff and patients, including critical patients and children in intensive care rooms.

Israeli troops are expected to blow up RSI, as was done to the Noura Al-Kabi Kidney Hospital before. Prior to the evacuation, Israeli forces had destroyed vital infrastructure such as power plants, water access, and supplies of medical gas.

RSI is the last hospital to still operate in the northern region of Gaza, after Kamal Adwan Hospital and Beit Hanoun Hospital were closed due to aggression.

Sukamta said Israel's actions were a serious violation of international law, including the Geneva Convention IV of 1949 and Rome's Statute which stated that attacks on civilian medical facilities constitute war crimes.

Sukamta called for the Indonesian government to take more concrete steps on the international stage. This puts pressure on stopping Israeli war crimes.

"First, Israel has been found guilty by the International Court (ICJ) and the International Criminal Court (ICC) of occupation and genocide against the Palestinian people who are violations of international law. This decision must be pushed towards its implementation of Israel," Sukamta explained.

The member of the House of Representatives' International Relations Commission also asked Indonesia to encourage the United Nations to send peacekeepers. In addition, Sukamta asked Indonesia to garner support for countries that are members of the Organization for Islamic Cooperation (OIC).

"I also encourage the UN Security Council to send UN peacekeepers (Blue Helmets) to stop genocide and protect the Palestinian people," said the PKS legislator.

"This includes garnering support from OIC countries and friendly countries so that this tragedy does not continue and occurs repeatedly," added Sukamta.

In addition, Sukamta also invited the Indonesian people to continue to show solidarity and concern for the fate of the Palestinian people.

"Solidarity can be through prayer, diplomacy, and support for Indonesia's legal and political steps at the international level," he concluded.