The world is waiting for real action from Indonesia in resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Indonesia has greater bargaining power in the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) than Arab countries, so Indonesia’s role in resolving the conflict is highly anticipated.
This was stated by the former Indonesian Ambassador to Ukraine, Yuddy Krisnandi in a national webinar entitled “Palestinian-Israeli Conflict: Opportunities for Resolution” on Friday, 17/11/2023.
“OIC countries such as Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates do not have as much bargaining power as Indonesia in voicing the interests of Muslims,” said Yuddy.
On the same occasion, Prof Abdul Mu’ti, General Secretary of PP Muhammadiyah, observed the Israeli-Palestinian conflict from two dimensions. First, from a theological perspective, land claims by the Zionists are a trigger for conflict. Second, political aspects also played a role, and Muhammadiyah argued that a political solution was more appropriate to resolve the war.
“And a two-state solution or a two-state solution is the most logical solution for resolving the conflict between the two nations, because according to the Israeli people they also have the right to live in that area, it’s just that so far they have been occupying Palestinian land, which is considered colonialism. ” explained Mu’ti.
On the other hand, the Chancellor of Jenderal Achmad Yani University, Prof. Dr. Hikmahanto Juwana, believes that the Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, qualifies as a war criminal for the attack on Gaza, Palestine.
However, challenges arise because Israel is not a member of the Rome Statute, so it cannot be tried by the International Criminal Court (ICC). However, there is a possibility through a UN Security Council (UNSC-DK) resolution.
“But, in the future the US will definitely veto this at the UN Security Council, so the world body will actually be like a ‘toothless tiger’,” he said.
Meanwhile, Prof. Imron Cotan, Observer of Strategic and Global Issues, differentiated between Jews and the Zionist movement. Imron condemned the actions of the Zionists in power in the Israeli government, and considered Eliyahu’s statements after the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings to be very regrettable, considering that the world is guided by the nuclear taboo.
“Therefore, it is not surprising that some time ago one of the Israeli Ministers, Amihay Eliyahu, stated that it would be better if a nuclear bomb were dropped on Gaza, even though the casualties on the Palestinian side have reached 12,000, half of them babies and children.” said Imron.
“Eliyahu’s statement is deeply regretted by various groups, because after the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings, the world was guided by the nuclear taboo, which holds the view that although certain countries are allowed to have nuclear weapons, they are morally not permitted to use them,” continued Imron.
In the context of resistance, Palestinian forces are considered to have the right to free themselves from Israeli colonialism. However, major countries, especially the US, tend to only recognize Israel’s right to defend itself after the Hamas attack on October 7, without paying attention to the oppression that the Palestinian people have experienced for 75 years.
Meanwhile, Hery Sucipto, Executive Director of the Moya Institute, expressed concern and anger over the humanitarian tragedy in Gaza. More than 50 percent of the victims of Israeli attacks are said to be babies and children, the largest number since the 2000 Intifada.
“Therefore, the Moya Institute took the initiative to hold this webinar to analyze developments that have occurred, read about possible potential solutions, including reviewing possible steps that Indonesia can take to play a more active role in efforts to create peace between Palestine and Israel,” he concluded.
