He highlighted this crisis in his speech at an event celebrating the bond and solidarity nurtured by Indonesian and Palestinian nations in Jakarta on Friday, according to an official statement issued here on Saturday.
"Imagine, while we are here waiting to break our fast, our brothers and sisters in Palestine are oppressed by colonialists. The destruction extends to cultural sites, artists, and cultural activists, who are deprived of their rights," Zon said.
During the event, which also drew participation from Palestinian citizens, the minister cited a UNESCO report indicating that Israel's invasion resulted in damage to 83 cultural and historical properties, including 53 buildings of historical or artistic interest, 11 religious sites, and 8 monuments.
Moreover, the zionist regime's indiscriminate attacks also damaged 3 depositories of movable cultural property, 7 archaeological sites, and 1 museum.
He asserted that Israel may have also destroyed countless cultural heritage objects during its large-scale, genocidal invasion of Palestine's Gaza Strip, which began in October 2023 and "ended" with a ceasefire effective from January 19 this year.
Zon then reiterated his support for the Palestinian people's journey toward independence, while noting that their striving aligns with Indonesia's Constitution, which advocates for the elimination of colonialism practices in the world.
In this context, he stressed the need to fight against "the double standards and hypocrisy often exercised by the West in global forums."
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Anis Matta, and Deputy Speaker of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR), Hidayat Nur Wahid, were among those who attended the event, which was entitled "Indonesia with Palestine: Ramadan of Victory and Solidarity."
Translator: Pamela S, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: Aditya Eko Sigit Wicaksono
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