"Do not doubt the government's stance on Palestine. We will support Palestine with all of our strength until Palestine is free,"
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture (PMK), Muhadjir Effendi, who was present at the Solidarity Act for Palestine in Jakarta on Sunday, emphasized that the public does not need to doubt the government's stance on Palestine's independence.

He conveyed this together with Religious Affairs Minister Yaqut Cholil Qoumas and Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudi who were present at the activity.

"We are here to represent the government," he said.

He then explained that their presence was assigned by President Joko Widodo (Jokowi).

"We were assigned by President Jokowi. Do not doubt the government's stance on Palestine. We will support Palestine with all of our strength until Palestine is free," he continued.

Effendy also asked the public to pray for Palestinians' well-being and their freedom from prolonged suffering.

Meanwhile, Minister Qoumas invited the public to perform prayers for the martyrs who were victims of Israel's regime.

"We are all gathered here because we care about Palestinian people. I ask everyone to perform prayer for their well-being and to pray for the martyrs who are victims of Israel," he noted.

He also hoped that the Palestinian people would soon gain peace, justice, and independence.

In addition, Foreign Affairs Minister Marsudi conveyed that the first humanitarian aid from Indonesia had been sent to Palestine.

"Yesterday the first aid was sent directly by President Jokowi. Those did not only come from the government but also from the community. Once the aid arrives, it will be distributed through humanitarian institutions," she remarked.

Related news: President Jokowi sends off humanitarian aid for Palestinians in Gaza

Aid for Palestinians in the Gaza Strip includes food, medical equipment, blankets, tents, and other logistical items weighing a total of 51.5 tons.

The aid was transported using three aircraft, namely two C-130 Hercules aircraft with tail numbers A-1327 and A-1328 from the 31st Air Squadron and 32nd Air Squadron of the Indonesian Air Force, as well as one chartered Garuda Indonesia Boeing 737 aircraft.

Related news: Next aid for Palestine to be sent three weeks later
Related news: Indonesian UNIFIL joins drills to anticipate escalation in Gaza

Translator: Ilham Kausar, Resinta Sulistiyandari
Editor: Arie Novarina
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