He said that Indonesia rejects all attempts to permanently displace the Palestinian people from their homeland as any changes to Gaza's demography would constitute a violation of international law.
"Their presence in Indonesia will be temporary and not at all intended to 'relocate' the Palestinian people from their homeland," Sugiono said in a written statement released on Thursday.
The Palestinians evacuated to Indonesia will comprise war victims who require medical treatment and orphans in need of trauma healing, given the horrors of war they have faced for years, he informed.
Indonesia's plan to accept Palestinian refugees follows similar initiatives by Arab countries, such as Egypt, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates, as well as Turkey, he said.
The minister stressed that Indonesia will evacuate Palestinians if all parties, including the Palestinian Authority, consent to the move.
Hence, Indonesia will continue consulting with all relevant parties regarding the plan, and it will be finalized only after the consultation and other technical preparations have been completed, he said.
"Indonesia will also ensure that all those steps will be done according to the interest of the Palestinian people and through the support of neighboring countries in the region," he added.
According to Sugiono, President Prabowo Subianto's announcement on Wednesday of the plan to accept Palestinian refugees reflects Indonesia's unwavering commitment to supporting the Palestinian cause through aid delivery and diplomatic avenues.
Indonesia is also committed to upholding the two-state solution in the Israel-Palestine conflict and pushing for the cessation of hostilities against the Palestinian people, he added.
Before commencing his Middle East tour, President Prabowo emphasized that the presence of evacuated Palestinians in Indonesia will be temporary and take place only with the approval of all parties.
"The first condition is to gain approval from all parties. Those Palestinians will only be here temporarily until they recover. Once the condition in Gaza is stable, they must return. Therefore, I must consult with leaders of the regions," he said.
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Reporter: Nabil Ihsan
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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