Foreign Minister Retno Voices Gaza Issues At The G20 Meeting

Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi spoke at the G20 Foreign Ministers Meeting which took place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on Wednesday (21/2/2024). (ANTARA/HO-o account X @Menlu_RI)

JAKARTA - Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi voiced the issue of Gaza and condemned Israel's atrocities in the Palestinian enclave at the G20 Foreign Ministers Meeting in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on Wednesday (21/2).

"This issue is important to be appointed at the G20, considering that all member countries of the Security Council (PBB) are also members of the G20," Retno said in a press statement reported by ANTARA, Thursday, February 22.

He said Israel's atrocities in Gaza, which have lasted for 138 days, had gone beyond all justification logic, with more than 29,000 Palestinians and hundreds of people in the West Bank killed by Israel.

Gazans are said to face the threat of genocide and live in hell of Israeli atrocities because there is no place for them to run away, no access to their daily needs and no hope for them.

"I emphasize to the G20 countries, that this is not only a humanitarian disaster, but a geopolitical nightmare (geopolitical nightmare). Not only that, the impact of this war has also spread everywhere and threatens global stability and security," said Retno.

In the G20 meeting, Retno emphasized the joint effort that needed to be made to respond to the situation in Gaza, namely first, pushing for a permanent ceasefire immediately, however.

"This will be the most fundamental game-changer to stop the bloodshed and humanitarian crisis, as well as to create a conducive situation towards a two-state solution negotiations," he said.

With a ceasefire, according to him, the world could encourage Israel to stop committing international law violations that continue to be carried out.

Second, Foreign Minister Retno called on countries in the world to avoid implementing double standards on Palestinian issues.

I emphasize that our treatment of Palestine should not be different from our treatment of other situations. I ask the G20 countries not to remain silent watching Israel destroy hospitals, schools and refugee camps," he said.

Retno then urged the G20 countries to increase support for Palestine, including through UNRWA, instead of stopping funding the UN agency for the Palestinian refugees.

Third, he called on countries to help reduce global tensions and prevent further escalation.

"Currently, a lot of tensions and conflicts are happening in various parts of the world. We also have to admit that technology such as cyber weapons, drones, and AI is also a new threat to global security," he said.

Therefore, Indonesia encourages the G20 to overcome these problems together.

Retno emphasized that the G20 must unite and must be a catalyst for positive changes to every crisis.

"End the statement, I convey that G20 member countries have a responsibility to be contributors to world peace and stability," he said.

Not only Indonesia, Retno said that almost all of the delegates who attended the G20 Foreign Ministers Meeting also expressed their attention to the humanitarian situation in Gaza.

Brazil's G20 Presidency is a continuation of a series of developing countries' leadership at the G20 and the theme "Building a Just World and a Sustainable Planet".