VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Jakarta (voinews): Spokesperson for the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Teuku Faizasyah emphasized that Indonesia's position has not changed and is consistent regarding the Palestinian issue, even though Indonesia is hosting the U-20 World Cup in 2023.

“The Indonesian government's position on the Palestinian issue has never changed and is very consistent. Indonesia is one of the few countries that continues to consistently support the struggle of the Palestinian people," he said in a statement delivered at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Building, Friday (10/3), in Jakarta.

Teuku Faizasyah said, on all occasions, including the visit of the Palestinian Prime Minister to Indonesia on 24 October 2022, Palestine has always conveyed its high appreciation for Indonesia's consistent support for Palestine.

"Last January, for example, the Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs specifically spoke before the UN Security Council and reiterated Indonesia's support for Palestine," he said.

On the occasion of the UN Human Rights Council meeting in early March, according to Teuku Faizasyah, Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi also raised the issue of Palestine again, although not many countries raised the issue. The same thing was also done by Indonesia in the 2022 G20 Chair and the G20 Foreign Ministers Meeting in India.

"Therefore, I want to reiterate that Indonesia's position is consistent and will remain consistent," he said.

Regarding Indonesia's hosting of the 2023 U-20 World Cup, Teuku Faizasyah said the participation of all participating teams in the U-20 World Cup along with all the rules of the game had been regulated by FIFA.

"In this regard, Indonesia's hosting of the U-20 will not shake the slightest bit of Indonesia's consistent position towards Palestine," he said.

Meanwhile, regarding the technical arrangements for holding the U-20 World Cup and the participation of the Israeli national team, according to Teuku Faizasyah, Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Mohamad Mahfud MD. has provided a response and has conducted discussions to prepare according to the provisions.

"The Menkopolhukam has also responded to some of the technical matters raised earlier, I quote him, 'All the pathways have been discussed and prepared, just wait for it later'," he concluded. (VOI/Andy)