JAKARTA
\nIndonesian officials and activists on Tuesday observed International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People amid calls to boost efforts for the independence of Palestine. For decades, Indonesia has been a staunch supporter of the Palestinian cause.
\nPeople and authorities in the world\u2019s largest Muslim-majority country see Palestinian statehood as mandated by their own constitution, which calls for the abolition of colonialism.
\nIn its preamble, the Indonesian constitution says that \u201cindependence is the inalienable right of every nation.\u201d
\nIndonesian President Joko Widodo reaffirmed the nation\u2019s commitment and \u201ccontinuous support of the Palestinian independence,\u201d when he hosted Palestine\u2019s Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh in Jakarta in late October.
\nSolidarity was also on display throughout November, which Indonesian activists declared the Month of Solidarity for Palestine.
\nThe Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the fight for Palestine\u2019s independence had \u201cbecome more complex\u201d in the wake of various global challenges, such as the post-coronavirus pandemic situation and the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
\n\u201cIndonesia will consistently support the Palestinian struggle \u2026 Unity in Palestine is a very important issue \u2026 and as such we have always emphasized that reconciliation must be pushed forward and supported by internal players in Palestine,\u201d Bagus Hendraning Kobarsyih, Middle East director at the ministry, said during Tuesday\u2019s solidarity day commemorations.
\n\u201cWe are ready to facilitate those steps toward reconciliation, Indonesia is also ready to give its support for Palestine to become a full member of the United Nations.\u201d
\nA series of events to rally support were organized across the country by Aqsa Working Group to \u201csend a message to the public that the advocacy for Al-Aqsa and Palestine is in line with the 1945 Constitution.\u201d
\nThe group derives its name from Al-Aqsa Mosque \u2014 the third-holiest site in Islam \u2014 in Israel-occupied East Jerusalem.
\n\u201cEverything had come from our spirit for humanity,\u201d Muhammad Anshorullah, head of the group\u2019s executive committee, said during a closing event on Tuesday.
\n\u201cColonization is not in line with humanity and justice.\u201d
\nAnshorullah told Arab News that the program also included advocacy to reject the participation of Israel\u2019s national team in the FIFA Under-20 World Cup, which Indonesia is set to host next year.
\nIndonesia has no diplomatic relations with Israel. The Indonesian government has been repeatedly calling for an end to the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories and for a two-state solution based on pre-1967 borders.
\nIsrael\u2019s growing interest in normalizing relations with the Southeast Asian nation, following 2020 US-brokered accords with four other Muslim nations, has mobilized Indonesian activists to strengthen their efforts.
\n\u201cIndonesia, we will not establish relations before Israel recognizes Palestine,\u201d Hikmahanto Juwana, international relations expert and law professor at the University of Indonesia, told Arab News. \u201cWe have the power to put pressure against Israel.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
JAKARTA Indonesian officials and activists on Tuesday observed International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People amid calls to boost efforts for the independence of Palestine. For decades, Indonesia has been a staunch supporter of the Palestinian cause. People and authorities in the world\u2019s largest Muslim-majority country see Palestinian statehood as mandated by their own […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":298259,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-298242","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-world"},"yoast_head":"\n