Disappointed That the UN Security Council Again Failed to Ratify the Ceasefire Resolution in Gaza, Foreign Minister Retno: Never Give Up

The Indonesian Foreign Minister attended a WHO meeting on Gaza. (Source: Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs)

JAKARTA - Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi said that efforts to improve the situation in Gaza and Palestine must continue and must not give up, even though there is disappointment due to the failure of the United Nations body to agree on a resolution regarding the crisis there.

Arriving in Geneva, Switzerland on Sunday (10/12) morning local time, Foreign Minister Retno attended a Special Meeting of the WHO Executive Board which discussed the situation in Gaza, WHO's executive organ under the World Health Assembly which has 34 members. Apart from members of the Executive Board, this meeting was also attended by non-member countries who were concerned about the situation in Gaza.

One of the things that Foreign Minister Retno conveyed at the meeting was Indonesia's stance regarding the failure of the UN Security Council to agree on a resolution to defuse the crisis in the Palestinian enclave.

"Indonesia is very disappointed that the UN Security Council has again failed to pass a resolution regarding humanitarian ceasefire which would reduce the suffering of the people of Gaza," said Foreign Minister Retno in a statement from the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Monday, December 11.

"Efforts must continue to be made to improve the situation in Gaza. We must not give up. Never give up," continued Foreign Minister Retno.

The UN Security Council failed to agree on a resolution regarding a ceasefire initiated by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Friday last week. The draft resolution calls on all parties to the conflict to comply with international law, in particular the protection of civilians, demands an immediate humanitarian ceasefire, and asks UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to report to the council on the implementation of the ceasefire.

In last Friday's vote, the draft resolution was supported by 13 member countries of the Security Council. However, a veto by the United States as a permanent member of the council meant the resolution failed, while Britain, another permanent member, abstained.

"I deeply regret the failure of the Security Council to adopt a humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza even though more than 102 countries, including Indonesia, co-sponsored the resolution," wrote Foreign Minister Retno on social media X previously.

Saying that Indonesia has become a co-sponsor of the Resolution on Health Condition in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, Foreign Minister Retno revealed three important things that must be done at yesterday's meeting.

"First, the importance of accelerating health assistance for Gaza. Indonesia urges Israel to respect the right to health and access of the Gaza community to health facilities," said Foreign Minister Retno.

​"Second, the importance of protecting all workers and medical facilities. International Humanitarian Law must be respected and enforced. Indonesia urges accountability and justice for all attacks on workers and medical facilities in Gaza," she continued.

"Third, the importance of increasing the mobilization of support for WHO. This support is very necessary for the operation of WHO and UNRWA programs in Gaza," she stressed.

Indonesia also supports WHO to hold a donors conference to finance and rebuild the Palestinian health system, added Foreign Minister Retno.

"Indonesia's presence at this special meeting is one of Indonesia's consistent supports for Palestine," she concluded.