Indonesia Condemns The Forced Evictions Of Palestinians By Israel In Sheikh Jarrah, Ministry Of Foreign Affairs: Violation Of International Law

Illustration of a settlement in the Sheikh Jarrah area, east Jerusalem. (Wikimedia Commons/David Shankbone)

JAKARTA - The Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemns Israel's move to continue the eviction of Palestinians in east Jerusalem, including in the Sheikh Jarrah area in the housing development program and its supporting facilities.

As previously reported, Israeli police evicted a Palestinian family from their home in East Jerusalem, followed by a digger tearing down the property, prompting criticism from rights activists and diplomats.

The eviction of the Salhiya Family in the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood last Wednesday, because Israel targeted their land for the construction of a school to support the settlements being built.

Indonesia as one of the countries that has consistently fought for the fate and independence of Palestine in the international community, condemns the evictions carried out, underlines Indonesia's unchanged attitude.

"This is something we condemn, because it is a violation of international agreements so far in the occupied territories," said Indonesian Foreign Ministry spokesman Teuku Faizasyah in a virtual press statement, Thursday, January 20.

"Things related to forced displacement, cannot be justified in the context of international law and also in the context of human rights. They certainly have the right to remain in the area where they have been living for so long, even though the area is a status quo, of course it must be able to It is maintained that referring to various UN resolutions, international law and the government's position in this matter have not changed," he explained.

Spokesman for the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Teuku Faizasyah during a virtual press conference.

Regarding Indonesia's position on the Palestinian issue, Faizasyah emphasized that Indonesia's principle position has not changed, with reference to a peaceful settlement according to international law, along with the agreed parameters.

"We are talking about a peaceful solution, a two-state solution between Palestine and Israel that live side by side, based on various UN resolutions that have been issued regarding the position in 1967," he explained.

"As emphasized by the Foreign Minister (Retno Marsudi) when she met Foreign Minister (AS Antony) Blinken, we provide support for the fate of the Palestinian people, continue to work for Palestinian independence within the framework of the two-state solution," he concluded.

The international community strongly condemns the process of eviction Palestinian residents in Jerusalem. The Foreign Ministries of France, Germany, Italy and Spain urged Israeli authorities late Wednesday to halt construction of new housing units in East Jerusalem.

In a statement European countries said the hundreds of new buildings would "constitute an additional obstacle to a two-state solution," referring to international peace efforts to create a state for the Palestinians.

"Development in this area will further sever the West Bank from East Jerusalem, and that these settlements constitute a violation of international law," the statement said.

Earlier this month, Israeli authorities approved plans to build some 3,500 homes in occupied East Jerusalem, nearly half of which will be built in the controversial Givat Hamatos and Har Homa areas.