JAKARTA: Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi strongly criticized the West’s “double standards” regarding the situation in Gaza, reaffirming Indonesia’s unwavering support for Palestine during her annual press statement on Monday.
Indonesia, a longstanding advocate for Palestinian statehood, views support for Palestine as a constitutional mandate calling for the abolition of colonialism. The Indonesian government has consistently condemned Israeli violence, actively seeking international backing since the escalation of Tel Aviv’s bombardment of Gaza in early October.
Israel’s prolonged military campaign has resulted in the death of over 22,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, and widespread destruction in the besieged strip, prompting global concerns.
“The case of Palestine shows double standards from a number of countries in the world, especially those in the Global North,” remarked Minister Marsudi during her press statement. She questioned the silence of Global North countries in the face of humanitarian violations, emphasizing the need for equal rights for Palestine and challenging the perceived hierarchy.
In November, Indonesia participated in a ministerial committee, part of an extraordinary joint Arab-Islamic Summit, advocating for an end to Israel’s ongoing offensive in Gaza. The committee engaged with officials from the UN Security Council’s five permanent members, seeking to increase pressure on the West to reject Israel’s self-defense justification.
Indonesian FM Reaffirm Support for Palestine
Minister Marsudi announced her representation of Indonesia at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on February 19. She is scheduled to speak during a public hearing, urging the ICJ to provide an advisory opinion strengthening Palestine’s legal standing. This follows a December 2022 UN General Assembly resolution calling on the ICJ to opine on the legal consequences of Israel’s illegal occupation of Palestinian territories.
“The UN cannot forget the struggle of the nation of Palestine,” Minister Marsudi emphasized, also pointing out the UN Security Council’s failure to adopt a resolution for a ceasefire last month, vetoed by the US.
Speaking from the historic Merdeka Building in Bandung, West Java, Marsudi underscored Indonesia’s commitment to Palestine, stating, “Indonesia will always fight for Palestine.” The building serves as a reminder of Indonesia’s unfulfilled commitment to the independence of Palestine, stemming from the 1955 Asian-African Conference that aimed to oppose colonialism and led to the formation of the Non-Aligned Movement.
