Israel, a colonialist, cannot use such an excuseJakarta (ANTARA) - Israeli occupation forces' act of killing civilians and their facilities in Palestine's Gaza Strip in the pretext of self-defense is utterly unacceptable, Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudi affirmed on Tuesday.
"Israel, a colonialist, cannot use such an excuse," Marsudi remarked during a meeting between Russian Foreign Affairs Minister Sergei Lavrov and foreign affairs ministers of several Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) countries --Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Palestine, and Jordan-- in Moscow.
The ministers held a warm and open discussion during the meeting, Marsudi stated in a virtual press conference.
She said Russia responded positively to the visit of OIC foreign affairs ministers that served as a follow-up to the results of the Joint Arab Islamic Extraordinary Summit that concluded in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on November 11.
Russia supported the points outlined in the resolution adopted during the extraordinary summit that was held to stop Israeli atrocities and ensure smooth flow of aid distribution to Gaza, she remarked.
The resolution mandated foreign affairs ministers of several OIC countries, including Indonesia, to gather support for the restoration of peace in Palestine.
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"We emphasized the need for all countries to objectively assess the Gaza issues and take a fair stance," she remarked.
Marsudi also stressed the importance of all countries taking concrete measures for halting acts of violence, putting a ceasefire in place, and ensuring a smooth and unhindered corridor for the distribution of humanitarian assistance.
"To that end, support from plenty of countries, especially permanent members of the UN Security Council, including Russia, is required," she emphasized.
During the meeting, Marsudi stated that the OIC and Russian foreign affairs ministers also spoke of efforts to formulate strategic steps for implementing the two-state solution as well as the discourse on holding a peace conference in Palestine.
Prior to their visit to Moscow, Minister Marsudi and her OIC counterparts had paid a visit to China's Foreign Affairs Minister Wang Yi in Beijing.
After visiting Russia, they are scheduled to head to the United Kingdom to meet with Foreign Affairs Minister David Cameron before meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris. Both countries are permanent members of the UN Security Council alongside Russia, China, and the United States.
Related news: OIC, Arab League seeking firm UNSC resolution on Gaza war: FM
Following the attacks launched by Palestinian Hamas on Israel on October 7, 2023, Israeli forces have continued to indiscriminately bombard the Gaza Strip.
Israeli brutalities, with unconditional support from the United States, have led to the deaths of over 11 thousand Palestinian civilians and destruction of thousands of structures, including hospitals, schools, mosques, and churches.
According to Al Jazeera, two-third of the victims are women and children.
In response to the Israeli genocidal campaign against Palestinians, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has labeled Israel as a terrorist state.
On Israel's side, 1,200 lives have been lost following the event on October 7.
Related news: Three Indonesian aid workers remain in Gaza despite Israel's siege: FM
Translator: Yashinta Difa, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: Jafar M Sidik
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