Jakarta – The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugee in the Near East (UNRWA) appreciates Indonesia’s support for its consistency in defending Palestine. UNRWA Commissioner General, Philippe Lazzarini, expressed his gratitude to Indonesia for consistently helping to facilitate the relief of Palestinian refugees
This was conveyed by UNRWA Commissioner General, Philippe Lazzarini, to the Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs (Menlu), Retno Marsudi, on the sidelines of the 79th High Level Week (HLW) UN General Assembly (UNGA), Sunday (22/9/2024).
UNRWA is an agency under the United Nations (UN) that manages schools, social services, health centers, and distributes food aid to millions of Palestinian refugees.
“This morning I was present at the OIC Foreign Ministers’ Core Group meeting to encourage the use of the UN General Assembly to gather support in efforts to improve the situation in Palestine, including through UNRWA,” said Retno Marsudi
During the meeting between the two important figures, Retno reiterated Indonesia’s support for UNRWA’s mandate in handling all victims. He also said that Indonesia would continue to mobilize support for Palestine, including through UNRWA.
According to recorded data, since 2023, Indonesia has consistently provided humanitarian assistance in the form of funds, medicines and food for Palestine.
In 2023, Indonesia will increase funding for UNRWA threefold. Meanwhile, this year, the total funding disbursed by Indonesia reached USD 1.2 million.
On the other hand, the government is also exploring cooperation with the Indonesian Zakat Agency (Baznas) to distribute rocks to UNRWA. Since November 2023, Baznas has distributed financial aid amounting to USD 3.3 million to the Palestinian community.
Meanwhile, on June 10 2024, Indonesia also provided humanitarian assistance amounting to USD 500 thousand through the International Labor Organization (ILO), an international organization for employment issues.
Apart from humanitarian assistance, Indonesia is also taking steps through foreign political diplomacy to help the Palestinian struggle.
In her speech at the UN, Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi said that non-aligned countries, through their influence, must help and fight for Palestine.
According to Retno, there are two things that must be fought for for Palestine. First, it is related to efforts to increase the number of countries that recognize Palestine. Second, encourage the effective implementation of UN General Assembly Resolution ES-10/24, which demands Israel to end its illegal presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.
“Recognition is very important. Recognition rekindles hope in the Palestinian people; “is a crucial step towards creating a Two-State Solution, as well as creating political pressure for Israel to stop its atrocities,” he said.
Parliament also supports Indonesia’s foreign policy stance.
Deputy Chairman of the MPR Hidayat Nur Wahid in a different place said that Indonesia has a strong basis for defending Palestinian independence, namely paragraph two of the 1945 Constitution.
Deputy Chairman of the Indonesian People’s Consultative Assembly, Hidayat Nur Wahid (HNW) revealed that in the Preamble to the 1945 Constitution there are two paragraphs that specifically serve as references for Indonesia in defending Palestinian independence.
Based on this, this provision will become a constitutional reference regarding the Indonesian government’s lasting stance to continue to defend and fight for Palestinian independence, reject Israeli colonialism, and actively make efforts to bring peace there.