The Foreign Minister Affirms No One Has The Right To Remove Palestine From Google Maps

JAKARTA - The disappearance of Palestine on Google's online map some time ago has become a topic of discussion, including Indonesia. Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi briefly and firmly said, Palestine should be on the map.

"There is no right for anyone else, whoever he is, to simply remove the right to exist for Palestine, and Indonesia is one of the many countries that will continue to try to defend the existence of Palestine," said Foreign Minister Rini, quoted from Antara, Sunday, July 26.

There is not much that needs to be emphasized in words when explaining Indonesia's position on the Palestinian issue. Not without reason, Indonesia's loyal support for Palestine has been mandated by the 1945 Constitution of the Republic of Indonesia that independence is the right of all nations and because of that, colonialism in the world must be abolished.

"We are always close to our hearts. In every breath of Indonesian foreign policy, the issue of Palestine is always there," continued Rini.

"That's all," Rini emphasized. "It's very obvious."

The defense of Palestine is one of Indonesia's agendas in the leadership as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council which has entered its second year.

Recently, Indonesia has firmly urged Israel to stop the planned annexation or forcible taking of Palestinian territories in the West Bank under the leadership of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

The plan for the unilateral annexation, which was to be carried out on July 1, is considered a violation of international law and an illegal act by many countries in the world, including Indonesia.

Israel has failed to implement an annexation plan targeting 30 percent of the West Bank, under the peace accord proposed by US President Donald Trump in the Deal of the Century.

A number of things behind the postponement are the US's seemingly “hands-off” attitude towards the annexation plan and the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic that has hit the world, including Israel.

Foreign Minister Retno argued that the postponement of Israel's annexation of Palestine was also the result of pressure exerted by the international community.

"I believe this delay occurred because of international pressure on Israel. Therefore, the world must unite to realize the two-state solution concept," said Retno.