Ministry Of Foreign Affairs Affirms Indonesia Rejects And Never Facilitates The Transfer Of Gazans

Illustration of the evacuation of Gazans to Europe. (Twitter @hans_kluge) 2

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasized that the Indonesian government refuses and has never facilitated any form of relocation of citizens of the Gaza Strip or Palestine to the country.

This statement was made following foreign media reports that stated that Indonesia was one of the destination countries for flights that brought Palestinians.

"The Indonesian government has never facilitated the transfer of Gazans or Palestinians to enter Indonesia," said Spokesperson I of the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Yvonne Mewenggung to VOI.id, Monday, November 17.

"Indonesia rejects all forms of forced transfer (forced placement) of Palestinians from Gaza because it is against international law and the principles of Two-State Solution," he said.

As previously reported, a flight carrying 153 Palestinians from Gaza landed at OR Tambo International Airport, South Africa on Thursday last week.

South African activists found irregularities in travel regulated by an organization called the Al-Majd Europe. In fact, some Palestinians are said to have no idea where they are going, while there are no official documents and the South African Government is not aware of their planned arrival.

Activist Sarah Oosthuizen who is a member of the group that accompanies Palestinians in Johanesburg told Middle East Eye passenger boarding passes showed various destinations, from India to Malaysia and Indonesia.

"So, there is no reason for passengers to really know where they are going," he said.

Last Friday, South African President South African Cyril Ramaphosa described the refugees as "people from Gaza who were mysteriously transported by plane".

"We certainly need to investigate their origin, where it all started, the reason why they were brought here is because they don't have any documents," he explained.

Spokesperson for the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs explained, "In a number of cases, there was information that some Gazans were trying to find an independent exit route and then received support from humanitarian organizations or non-governmental parties."

"Indonesia is not involved in the process," said Yvonne.

Yvonne emphasized, "Indonesia remains consistent in supporting the Palestinian people, including through humanitarian assistance and medical care facilities."

"According to the direction of the President of the Republic of Indonesia, Indonesia only accepts Gaza patients who are injured for medical treatment temporarily, according to the agreement of the relevant parties, and not for permanent shelters," he stressed.

"Indonesia will continue to monitor the situation and ensure that every step does not conflict with Indonesia's support for an independent and sovereign Palestinian state," he concluded.