With great determination, Indonesia has once more raised its voice in defense of Palestine on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).
“I am returning to the UN Security Council because I want to be on the right side of history. To defend justice and humanity for the Palestinians.”
During the high-level UN Security Council Briefing on the Middle East in New York on November 29, Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi issued a powerful statement calling for a direct ceasefire to finish the violence and full and unimpeded humanitarian access to Gaza and a powerful call on the UN Security Council to take motion to implement compliance with international law within the region.
Marsudi stressed the urgent must end the violence and supply humanitarian assistance to the people of Gaza. She also expressed concern in regards to the escalation of Israeli attacks within the West Bank which are harming Palestinians, including in refugee camps.
Although there was a humanitarian pause and a few prisoners have been released, almost the identical number of recent prisoners are being arbitrarily held within the West Bank.
“On the other hand, while prisoners are being released under the humanitarian pause, almost the same number of new prisoners are being arbitrarily held in the West Bank.”
On this occasion, Marsudi also asked when the atrocities committed by Israel would end. She also questioned the fate of the people of Gaza, the West Bank and Palestine as an entire and whether or not they would have a greater future.
Once again, Marsudi reiterated that the UN Security Council has a terrific responsibility to keep up world peace and security. Welcoming UN Security Council Resolution 2712 and the humanitarian pause, Marsudi was emphatic that these measures were insufficient and even insufficient.
“But is it enough? No, that’s not enough. The humanitarian pause is too narrow and too fragile and will not be able to create a better situation in Gaza.”
Marsudi also called on the UN Security Council not to disregard Netanyahu’s policy of threatening to resume full military operations once the humanitarian pause ends.
“I can’t understand what he said. Moreover, I cannot understand whether the Security Council would allow this continuing threat to humanity to continue.”
At the top of her speech, Marsudi made it clear that the Council must take steps to keep up confidence within the multilateral system. The Council must be sure that hostilities don’t end in retaliation and work together to maneuver beyond the humanitarian pause and achieve a long-lasting ceasefire. Because day by day and not using a fight is progress price fighting for.
Marsudi then outlined three necessary things: first, uninterrupted humanitarian aid; secondly, respect for international law, especially international humanitarian law; and third, a everlasting ceasefire.
Marsudi also emphasized Palestine’s right to an independent state through a two-state solution. She concluded her speech by emphasizing the urgency of resuming the peace process, especially on the occasion of the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People.
“As we mark this year’s International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian people, let us not turn a blind eye or remain silent to the struggles of innocent people in Gaza whose only sin is being born a Palestinian.”
