"The Palestinian cause is an Indonesian cause. The establishment of an independent and sovereign Palestine existing side by side with Israel is a comprehensive solution that would bring an end to the protracted Palestinian-Israeli conflict," Marty said.
The minister explained that in 2010 Indonesia had continued to provide concrete support for Palestine through capacity building for the Palestinian people and government.
He said Indonesia was not only bilaterally provided capacity building assistance but also worked to gather support from Asia and Africa for the same purpose.
"So far 1662 Palestinians have benefited from capacity building programs involving 24 countries, including training for Palestinian diplomats by our Foreign Ministry," he said.
He said leaders from four emerging developing countries namely Indonesia, Brazil, India and South Africa had also gathered in Jakarta last September 2010 and stated their commitment to contribute vigorously to promote the peace process in the Middle East.
"In 2011, Indonesia will continue supporting Palestine by mobilizing international community assistance in the capacity building for 10,000 Palestinians within five years," said the minister.
Earlier, Chairman of Egypt`s North Sinai Red Crescent Gen. (retired) Osama Serghani said Indonesia was proven to be the first country to extend humanitarian assistance to the Palestinian people in 2011.
"We welcome the humanitarian assistance from the Indonesian people to the Palestinian people, and this is the first foreign assistance for Palestine in 2011," said Osama in Rafah, Egyptian Gaza border gate, Sunday (Jan 2).
Indonesian humanitarian assistance in the form of various medical equipment weighing over one ton was presented by Indonesian Ambassador to Egypt AM Fachir, who was accompanied by the Indonesian embassy`s Political Function Chief Burhanuddin Badruzzaman in Rafah.
The medical devices from Indonesia were received by Director of The Gaza Strip Palestinian Red Crescent Khalil Al-Foul, who was facilitated by Head of the North Sinai Red Crescent Osama Serghani.
Ambassador Fachir, who is fluent in Arabic, explained that the Indonesian embassy in Cairo had collected assistance from various circles, both organizations and individuals sympathizing with the suffering of the Palestinians due to Israeli atrocities.
"The value is not much, but this is the solidarity of the people of Indonesia for their brothers and sisters in Palestine, especially those in Gaza," Fachir said.(*)
Editor: Heru Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2011
