Bandung, West Java (ANTARA) - Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudi emphasized that Indonesia will be consistent and at the forefront in defending the rights of the Palestinian people.

At the 2024 Annual Press Statement of the Minister of Foreign Affairs (PPTM) at Gedung Merdeka, Bandung, on Monday, Marsudi pointed out that 2023 was the worst period for Palestinians, with more than 21 thousand people killed due to the Israeli aggression.

Moreover, various public facilities were destroyed, including the Indonesian Hospital in North Gaza, which was a form of assistance by the Indonesian people, she remarked.

"What happened in Palestine shows the double standards of several countries in the world, especially the Global North," she stated while referring to developed countries in the northern part of the world.

The minister criticized Global North countries that had often lectured other nations about human rights but were suddenly silent about the human rights violations in the Gaza Strip.

“Where are all the lectures they often give on human rights? Palestinians also have the same human rights as the rest of the world. Why does it seem like their value was lower than ours?" she questioned.

Marsudi then drew attention to the inability of the UN Security Council to stop the genocide in Gaza. The draft resolutions demanding a ceasefire were vetoed by the council's members on several occasions.

Hence, the minister ensured that Indonesia would continue to fight for Palestine, including through the International Court of Justice.

"On February 19 at the International Court of Justice, I will represent the Indonesian government to support the Court in providing an Advisory Opinion to strengthen Palestine's legal position. The United Nations must not forget the struggle of the Palestinian people, both politically and in international law," she remarked.

She then noted that Indonesia chose to be on the right side of history to defend humanity and justice for the Palestinian people.

"Advancing Free and Active Foreign Policy: A Ten-Year Journey" is the theme of the 2024 PPTM.

On this occasion, Marsudi also highlighted Indonesia's diplomatic achievements in the last nine years and diplomatic priorities for this year.

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