“Indonesia strongly rejects this statement. This statement is unacceptable. This confirms Israel’s ultimate goal to wipe Palestine from the world map,” Indonesian Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudi stated.
Speaking at the UN Security Council (UNSC) open debate on “The situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian Question” held in New York on Tuesday (January 23) local time, Marsudi questioned the UNSC’s stance in responding to Netanyahu’s statement.
“Will this Council remain silent in the face of such intention?” she questioned.
To avoid a full-blown war in the Middle East, Marsudi called for a ceasefire that will provide space to handle the humanitarian situation in Gaza and begin post-conflict reconstruction as well as enable the continuity of the two-state solution process.
“At the same time, it is critical to support the work of the UN Senior Humanitarian and Reconstruction Coordinator to pave the way for the delivery of life-saving humanitarian assistance in Gaza,” she stated.
The minister also emphasized that Palestine must be granted full membership in the UN immediately.
“This is essential to start fair and balanced work on the two-state solution and to stop Israel’s brutal aggression,” she remarked.
She urged the world to stop the flow of weapons to Israel that can be used to kill innocent civilians.
“Israel must be held accountable for its actions, including atrocities in Gaza. No nation is above the law,” she stressed.
At the meeting, Marsudi also spoke about Indonesia’s plan to convey an oral statement in front of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to deliver a legal opinion to the ICJ.
Indonesia’s participation is in accordance with the request of the UN General Assembly, which requested an advisory opinion from the ICJ regarding the legal consequences of Israel’s policies and actions in Palestine.
“Next month, Indonesia will present its Oral Statement for the ICJ Advisory Opinion brought to the court on the mandate of the General Assembly. Indonesia will take any possible avenues to support Palestine,” she said.
Related news: Indonesian FM reminds UN regarding mandate for peace in Palestine
Related news: Marsudi to speak at ICJ regarding Israel’s alleged Gaza genocide