Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesia's position on Palestine will remain steadfast in spite of the decision of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Bahrain to agree on normalizing relations with Israel.

"We understand the intentions of the UAE and Bahrain to offer space to related parties to negotiate and change the approach to solving the Palestinian issue through this agreement," Indonesia's Foreign Ministry spokesman, Teuku Faizasyah, noted during a virtual press conference here on Thursday.

"However, effectiveness of the agreement exceedingly depends on Israel's commitment to respect it," Faizasyah remarked.

For Indonesia, the Palestinian issue should be settled in accordance with the UN Security Council Resolutions and internationally agreed parameters, including the Two State Solution.

The spokesman believes every nation should ensure that all peace initiatives do not derail the decisions made through the Arab Peace Initiative and the related resolutions of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation.

"Hence, it is time to consider that the initiative and agreement be directed towards restarting a credible multilateral process. This will offer an equal footing for all parties and be based on the agreed international parameters," he stated.

The UAE and Bahrain agreement to establish formal relations with Israel was signed at the White House, the United States, on Tuesday (Sept 15).

The UAE and Bahraini officials attempted to reassure Palestinians that they were not abandoning the Palestinian people in their struggle to establish a state in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, though Palestinian leaders expressed criticism to the agreement as a betrayal of the Palestinian issue.

Indonesia does not establish diplomatic relations with Israel as long as it still occupies Palestine and has yet to gain its independence and sovereignty.

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Translator: Fardah
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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