Letter To The Secretary General Of The United Nations Regarding Gaza, Observer: Speaker Of The House Of Representatives Shows Commitment To Support For Palestine

Children in Gaza are queuing for UNICEF/Mohammed Nateel

JAKARTA - Chairman of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Puan Maharani, who sent an official letter to the Secretary-General of the United Nations (UN Secretary-General) Antonio Guterres to urge the cessation of Israeli aggression and humanitarian operations in Gaza, Palestine. As a parliamentary representation, Puan's move is considered a form of Indonesia's commitment to supporting Palestinian independence.

"The letter shows that Indonesia has consistently placed a just and civilized human value as part that should not be compromised in an effort to participate in realizing world peace," said International Relations Observer from the University of Indonesia (UI), Shofwan Al Banna Choiruzzad in Jakarta, Saturday, August 16.

Shofwan praised the straightforward language conveyed by Bung Karno's grandson. According to him, what Puan said was based on facts that had been widely recognized by various international institutions.

"While various parties are trying to blur the problem, this letter honestly and straightforwardly says that Israel has intentionally and systematically used hunger as a weapons of war and violated international law," Shofwan said.

Shofwan also highlighted the skepticism of some circles towards the effectiveness of the United Nations, where Indonesia is said to still have diplomatic space to encourage real action in the global community.

"Indonesia could push for Uniting for Peace Resolution in the General Assembly and mobilize countries caring about humanity and peace to force Israel to stop its blockade and aggression in Gaza and the West Bank," he added.

On the other hand, Shofwan emphasized the importance of collective initiatives from world countries to ensure humanitarian access in Gaza, as also conveyed by Puan.

"If civilians like Greta Thunberg dare to try to penetrate the blockade and successfully bring serious pressure to Israel, imagine if hundreds of countries sent doctors and food aid in a humanitarian convoy, escorted by ships from various countries? Not to attack anyone, but to ensure humanity as the UN charter," Shofwan said.

Previously, Puan sent an official letter to UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres in New York, United States (US). In the letter, Puan emphasized that what is happening in Gaza today is not just a food crisis. According to him, the hunger of civilians is caused by intentional policies and is carried out systematically.

"What we are witnessing in Gaza today is no longer just a food crisis, but rather a hunger caused by a deliberate and systematic policy to target civilians by using hunger as weapons of war," said Puan.

The letter that Puan sent to Antonio Guterres was entitled 'The Call for urgent action to end the Humanitarian Disaster in the Gaza Strip'. The contents of Puan's letter also highlighted the question of hundreds of thousands of Gazans who were starving due to mass bombings.

Puan then quoted the UNICEF report which revealed that currently there are more than 1.1 million people who are facing severe food insecurity. In fact, there are 500,000 children indicated to be acute malanutrition.

In addition, more than 70 percent of agricultural land, markets, and food stores have been destroyed. It was also reported that access to staple foods and health services was also limited. Puan emphasized that Israel's actions could not be tolerated.

The former Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture urged the United Nations to immediately announce an emergency status of hunger in the Gaza Strip. Puan also demanded that the UN Security Council hold an emergency hearing to prevent the use of hunger as a method of war.

To the United Nations, Puan also requested that the organization between global governments ensure the provision of full, fast, safe and unobstructed humanitarian access throughout Gaza.

"We fully support your leadership morally and institutionally, and believe that the United Nations will act according to the urgency needed by this crisis," said Puan Maharani.