VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi has reiterated the Indonesian government's firm stand against normalizing diplomatic ties with Israel, dispelling widespread rumors of a softening of its stance late last year.

"Up till now Indonesia has no intention to normalize diplomatic ties with Israel," the minister said at an annual press conference, held online on Wednesday.

She said Indonesia will continue to support Palestinian independence through a two-state solution, based on the United Nations Security Council resolution and already agreed upon international parameters.

Earlier, on December 16, 2020, President Joko Widodo had highlighted this support during a phone conversation with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

Indonesia's firm stand is in contrast to the policies of several Arab countries, including the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Sudan, and Morocco, which have normalized diplomatic relations with Israel in the past few months.

This has been viewed as a setback for the Israel-Palestine peace process and as an indication that several Arab regimes no longer consider the Palestinian issue important.

However, for Indonesia, Palestine remains high on the list of foreign policy priorities, Marsudi said.

Indonesia expects that a conducive situation can be created this year with all sides committed to pursuing constructive dialog and direct negotiations, she said.

"Support for the Palestinian people to gain independence will continue," the minister remarked.

Meanwhile, chairman of the Indonesian Ulema Council, Sudarnoto Abdul Hakim, recently reiterated his request to the Indonesian government to remain consistent in not normalizing diplomatic ties with Israel.

"All means of cooperation, including economic cooperation with Israel, must be rejected," he told reporters in Jakarta recently.

Israel, he said, has colonized the land and the people of Palestine for a long period of time. Indonesia needs to stay consistent to its identity as a nation against colonization, he added.

"We fully believe that colonization is not aligned with humanity and justice," he remarked.

The council, he continued, has expressed its highest appreciation towards the Minister of Foreign Affairs in responding to the question of normalization of diplomatic ties with Israel.

"The Ministry, especially the Minister of Foreign Affairs, that has shown a firm, clear, and consistent stance in carrying out Indonesia's foreign politics, that [has] stood against colonization from the beginning," he said. (antaranews)