"Indonesia will remain in the frontline for helping the Palestinian people fight for their unfinished struggles. Indonesia`s support for Palestine will never recede," Foreign Minister Retno L. P. Marsudi remarked in her annual press statement here on
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has confirmed that the Palestinian issue will always be prioritized in its foreign policies throughout 2019 amid Indonesia`s role in the United Nations` Security Council.

"Indonesia will remain in the frontline for helping the Palestinian people fight for their unfinished struggles. Indonesia`s support for Palestine will never recede," Foreign Minister Retno L. P. Marsudi remarked in her annual press statement here on Wednesday.

The Indonesian Government is deeply concerned with the shift in political stance of several countries on the Palestinian issue, as it opposes the United Nations` resolutions that should, in fact, be respected and serve as foundations for resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, she noted.

One of the countries that has changed its political stance on the Palestinian issue is the United States, which has moved its embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.

However, this reality will never make Indonesia recede its support for the Palestinians. Instead, Jakarta will continue to be on the forefront to help the people of Palestine achieve the goal pursued through their relentless struggles, she emphasized.

The concrete support for Palestine had been demonstrated in 2018 during which Indonesia for the first time doubled its contribution to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).

The National Alms Agency (BAZNAS) had also collaborated with Palestinian refugees through UNRWA and the Jordan Hashemite Charity Organization to assist Palestinian refugees, Marsudi noted.

Moreover, 50 universities in Indonesia have collaborated to provide scholarships to Palestinian students. Indonesia`s honorary council in Ramallah has also contributed to an endeavor to increase the two countries` bilateral economic ties.

"It is the first time to offer trade facilitation to Palestine to enable several Palestinian products to gain access to Indonesia`s market," she noted.

Marsudi reiterated Indonesia`s support for a two-state solution as the only way to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and as a corridor for creating peace.

Antara noted that Jakarta`s political stance on the Palestinian issue has remained unchanged since the era of President Soekarno.

In 1962, this founding father of Indonesia had made a statement that has since then served as a guideline in the Indonesian foreign policy on Palestinian issues.

"As long as the freedom of Palestine has yet to be returned to the Palestinians, then it will forever be for Indonesia to stand in defiance against the occupation by Israel," President Soekarno had stated.

Reporting by Yuni Arisandy Sinaga, Rahmad Nasution

Reporter: Antara
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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