Indonesia Encourages Palestine to Become a Member of the UN, Foreign Minister Retno: So That They Have an Equal Position with Israel

Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi while attending the United Nations General Assembly regarding Gaza in New York, USA. (Source: Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs)

JAKARTA - The Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs encouraged Palestine to become a member of the UN to realize a two-state solution, while attending the UN General Assembly session discussing the situation in the Gaza Strip in New York, United States, Tuesday local time.

Present at the meeting, Foreign Minister Retno delivered Indonesia's national statement regarding the crisis occurring in Gaza.

"Indonesia is pushing for Palestine's status as a full member of the UN so that it has an equal position with Israel, in realizing a two-state solution based on agreed international parameters," said Foreign Minister Retno in a statement from the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Wednesday, November 29.

Previously, Foreign Minister Retno said that what was happening in the Gaza Strip currently violated international humanitarian law, reminded that war has rules and limits, ensuring that Indonesia would not remain silent.

"Indonesia cannot stand by watching thousands of innocent women and children die. Indonesia also cannot stand by watching houses, schools, and hospitals razed to the ground. And I ask whether the countries of the world will remain silent watching this tragic situation? " said Foreign Minister Retno

Yesterday, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in a statement ahead of the International Day of Solidarity for the Palestinian People said that Palestine was experiencing "one of the darkest chapters" in their history, reported The Times of Israel.

International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People is celebrated every November 29. The warning is related to UN Resolution 181 regarding a two-state solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.

Both UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and Foreign Minister Retno emphasized the need for a full or permanent ceasefire in Gaza.

"Indonesia welcomes the humanitarian pause. However, this is not enough. What is needed is a permanent ceasefire, so that lives can be saved and the necessary humanitarian assistance can be provided," said Foreign Minister Retno.

Last week, Hamas and Israel, with mediators Qatar, Egypt, and the United States, managed to agree on a ceasefire for four days, from Friday to Monday. Most recently, it was agreed to be extended for two days.

"The dialogue that led to the agreement must continue, resulting in a full humanitarian ceasefire, in the interests of the people of Gaza, Israel, and the wider region," UN Secretary-General Stephane Dujarric said in a statement, reported by The National News.

It is known that Hamas and Israel released 12 hostages and 30 prisoners on Tuesday, the fifth day of the ceasefire agreed to by both parties.

Before Tuesday's release, the details of those released successively consisted of 24 hostages and 39 detainees (Friday), 17 hostages and 39 detainees (Saturday), 17 hostages and 39 detainees (Sunday), and 11 hostages and 33 detainees (Monday), as per quoting CNN.