We are attempting to build a consensus, thus our option can also be accommodated and accepted (by other delegates).
Nusa Dua, Bali (ANTARA) - The Indonesian delegation is lobbying representatives at the 144th Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) for their support for complete independence for Palestine and a two-state solution for the Israel-Palestine conflict.

Indonesia has consistently raised the Palestinian issue at every annual session of the IPU.

"Some of the Indonesian delegates are lobbying other delegates in the general debate session to prepare the draft resolution regarding the issue," Deputy Head of Inter-Parliamentary Cooperation Board (BKSAP) of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI), Mardani Ali Sera, said.

He made the statement after attending a debate on international peace and security at Bali International Convention Center (BICC), Nusa Dua, Bali province, on Monday.

Currently, Indonesia is trying to include the issue on the list of emergency items to be discussed at the assembly session so that the resolution to the issue can be agreed upon by the delegates.

"We are attempting to build a consensus, thus our option can also be accommodated and accepted (by other delegates)," deputy head of the BKSAP of DPR RI said in response to a question asked by ANTARA.

He further said he is optimistic that the draft resolution concerning the Palestinian issue can be supported by the majority of delegates at the 144th IPU assembly session, considering that the Speaker of DPR RI, Puan Maharani, is acting as the chair of the session.

"We expect that at the assembly session, the Palestinian issue will become a firm decision from all members of the IPU,” he remarked.

Regarding the possibility of negotiating the issue with Israel, he said that Indonesia will only negotiate through the forums of the United Nations (UN) and the IPU since Indonesia does not have diplomatic relations with Israel and does not recognize it as a state.

“We support a two-state solution which must be realized immediately,” Sera added.

Earlier, Maharani had also highlighted the Palestinian issue in her remarks at the opening ceremony of the 144th IPU Assembly on March 20, 2022.

“This assembly can also strive to achieve the full independence of Palestine," she said.

It is expected that the forum would also provide a solution to the Russia-Ukraine conflict and the domestic political tensions in Myanmar, she added.

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Translator: Genta Mawangi, Uyu Liman
Editor: Sri Haryati
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