Indonesian Parliament entirely repudiated Israel’s plan to annex parts of the occupied West Bank in Palestine. Chair of the Indonesia-Palestine Parliamentary Friendship Group, Syahrul Aidi Maazat, who is also a member of the Committee for Inter-Parliamentary Cooperation of the House, called on the Indonesian government to remain consistent with its stance to denounce the plan, which violates international laws and UN resolutions.  

“The House asks the government to be consistent with its current stance as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council to repudiate Israel’s plan to annex Palestinian territories. Indonesia has maintained a similar stance against Israel’s move to relocate its capital from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. We appreciate and urge the government to remain consistent with its current stand to reject any deprivation of Palestinian rights,” he said after a meeting with Achmad Rizal Purnama, Director for Middle-Eastern Affairs of Foreign Affairs Ministry, at the parliamentary building, Jakarta, Friday (26/6/2020). 

The annexation plan was set out after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his rival General Benny Gantz agreed to form a coalition government. The move is part of the “Deal of the Century” proposal announced by US President Donald Trump, saying that parts of the Palestine’s West Bank will be trimmed and that the entire city of Jerusalem will become Israel’s capital. Many argue that the move violates international norms and laws—which Israel often does—although no real sanctions were ever imposed to the said country. 

"This annexation is a form of modern-day colonialism, and Indonesia certainly condemns such action for it is contradictory to the Indonesian constitution, which mandates the abolition of all forms of colonialism. I appreciate the Foreign Affairs Minister’s determination in rejecting the annexation despite the serious threat from the United States on its economic assistance programs to Indonesia. Indonesia is a sovereign country, and our sovereignty cannot be exchanged for economic assistance," Maazat asserted. 

According to the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) politician, Indonesia can actually take the initiative to call upon all member countries of the UNSC to urge the UN to issue a resolution on this annexation plan. While the United States may have the veto power in the council, rejection of the plan can be done not only through words, but also through foreign policy to prevent Israel's plan. For this reason, he believes that members of the UNSC must also take advantage of the impeachment inquiry and crisis of confidence in President Donald Trump ahead of the US election. 

"I need to share with you that the Parliamentary Friendship Group, beginning July 1st, will not only prioritize issues related to the annexation, but also the Indonesia-Palestine relations going forward. The Ministry Director also informed me that we have imposed zero tax on imports of two products (dates and olive oil) from Palestine since 2019. In the future, hopefully, we can do this with all of our imported goods. In the near future, we will arrange a meeting with the Palestinian Ambassador to Indonesia and our NGO partners for Palestine," he said, concluding his remarks. 

On another occassion, during the UN Security Council (UNSC) Virtual Ministerial Open Meeting held on Wednesday (6/24/20), Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudi, urged international communities to reject Israel’s annexation plans. Indonesia, along with Tunisia and South Africa, co-initiated the UNSC Virtual Ministerial Open Meeting, which was attended by UN Secretary General, Secretary General of the League of Arab States, UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process (UNSCO), Minister of Foreign Affairs of Palestine, and Ministers of Foreign Affairs of UNSC member states. 

Director General Achmad Rizal Purnama confirmed that, aside from the UNSC Virtual Ministerial Open Meeting, Indonesia also announced its funding commitment for Palestine at the UNRWA Extraordinary Virtual Ministerial Pledging Conference earlier this month. Indonesia underlined the importance of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to unite and mobilize international supports. (alw/sf)