President Jokowi: PM Netanyahu's Attitude On Palestine Is Unacceptable

President Joko Widodo delivered a press statement at the Bogor Presidential Palace, West Java, on Friday (26/1/2024). (ANTARA/HO-Biro Press of the Secretariat of the President of the Republic of Indonesia)

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) confirmed that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's statement against the formation of a Palestinian state was completely unacceptable.

"This must be conveyed firmly and I strongly oppose the statement of the Prime Minister of Israel (Benjamin) Netanyahu regarding the absence of a future for the two-statesolution", Jokowi said as quoted from the Presidential Secretariat's YouTube, Friday, January 26.

President Jokowi also strongly condemned Israel's attack on the Khan Younis refugee camp in the Gaza Strip, which claimed lives and left dozens injured.

"It has been too long a list of international law violations committed by Israel," he said.

Previously, President Jokowi had also received a report from Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi who was present at the UN Security Council open debate in New York, USA, to discuss the issue of Gaza.

During the debate, Foreign Minister Retno also firmly rejected PM Netanyahu's statement.

"Before leaving for New York, I have conveyed to the Foreign Minister (Retno) to continue to carry out Indonesia's firm voice in supporting the struggle of the Palestinian people," said Jokowi.

In addition, President Jokowi also emphasized that Indonesia refuses the entry of Israeli ships into Indonesian territory.

"Once again I reiterate; ports in Indonesia will not be used to serve the interests of Israel," said Jokowi.

On Sunday (21/1), PM Netanyahu released a video statement stressing that he rejected the call of America, which is Israel's close ally to create a postwar scenario, which includes a path to the creation of a Palestinian state.

Netanyahu reasoned that he wanted to ensure that Gaza was no longer a threat to Israel.

"I urge you to prevent the formation of a Palestinian state, which will pose an existential danger to Israel. As long as I am prime minister, I will continue to maintain that pressure," Netanyahu said.

Netanyahu's attitude was criticized by many parties, including UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres.

The rejection of accepting a two-state solution for Israel and Palestine, as well as the rejection of state rights for the Palestinian people, is unacceptable, Guterres said via X.

"The right of the Palestinian people to build their own country must be recognized by everyone," he added.