VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi invited UN member states to make 2023 the year of progress in resolving the Palestinian issue.

"The United Nations has reported that 2022 is the deadliest year and has claimed the lives of many Palestinians since 2005," she said at the Security Council (UNSC) Open Debate Meeting, Wednesday (18/1) in New York, through an official statement received Thursday (19/1).

Therefore, at the meeting attended by the Special Coordinator for Palestine Tor Wennesland, Minister Retno Marsudi conveyed a number of matters related to the Palestinian issue which are of concern to Indonesia.

First, Indonesia welcomes the ratification of the UN General Assembly Resolution requesting a legal opinion from the International Court of Justice regarding the legal impact of Israel's occupation of Palestine.

"Various reports, mechanisms and UN resolutions have been issued. The world cannot act business as usual. There must be real follow-up on this matter," said Retno.

Second, the importance of drawing up concrete steps to reach a peaceful solution. The Indonesian Foreign Minister asked Israel to stop provocations, respect international law, and continue the peaceful process to reach a two-state solution, according to international provisions.

Third, the international community must provide humanitarian assistance to the Palestinian people.

"In 2023 it is predicted that the world will experience a recession. More than two million Palestinians need humanitarian assistance," said Retno.

The UN Security Council meeting is chaired by Japan as the President of the UN Security Council in January 2023.

Apart from the 15 members of the UN Security Council, 29 countries also attended and made statements, including Palestine and Israel.

Countries highlight the situation in Palestine that is not getting better, and encourage the resumption of the peace process in order to achieve a long-term solution to the Palestinian issue. (VOI/Andy)