Foreign Minister Retno Walked Out When Israel Delivers Statement at the UN Security Council

Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi delivered Indonesia's statement in an open debate by the UN Security Council in New York, USA, on Tuesday (23/1/2024) local time. (ANTARA)

JAKARTA - Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi walked out or left the room when Israeli Ambassador to the United Nations Gilad Erdan spoke at the UN Security Council's open debate regarding Palestine.

"Foreign Minister Retno and the heads of delegations from a number of other countries left the room when Israel's watap (permanent representative) delivered his statement," said Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Lalu Muhamad Iqbal, via short message quoted by ANTARA, Thursday, January 25.

The walk out, said Lalu, was carried out by Foreign Minister Retno because the Israeli Ambassador was also not in the room when the Indonesian delegation and a number of Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) countries delivered statements at the meeting.

"On the other hand, the Indonesian delegation and a number of OIC countries were also not in the room when the Israeli representative delivered his statement," said Iqbal.

The Security Council meeting on Palestine-Israel took place at the UN headquarters in New York, United States, on Tuesday, January 23 local time.

During the meeting, Retno expressed Indonesia's strong opposition to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's statement rejecting the formation of a Palestinian state after the war ends.

“Indonesia strongly rejects this statement. This statement is unacceptable. "This confirms Israel's ultimate goal of erasing Palestine from the world map," said Retno, emphasizing.

In order to avoid the possibility of a full-scale war in the Middle East, Foreign Minister Retno again called for a permanent ceasefire which would provide space to resolve the humanitarian situation in Gaza.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs also urged relevant parties to start post-conflict reconstruction efforts and continue the two-state solution process.

Retno also emphasized that Palestine must immediately be given full membership status in the UN.

“It is important to begin a just and balanced effort at a two-state solution, and to stop Israel's brutal aggression,” she said.

Apart from that, Retno urged the world to stop the flow of weapons to Israel which could be used to massacre innocent civilians.

“Israel must be held accountable for its actions, including the atrocities in Gaza. "No country is above the law," said Retno, emphasizing.