VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

VOINews, Jakarta - Indonesia urges the UN Security Council (UNSC) to act immediately to stop the escalation of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in Gaza and address the humanitarian crisis.

Every second wasted without real action from the Security Council has a dire impact on the Palestinians in Gaza. Indonesia strongly condemns the continued Israeli aggression against civilians in Gaza (24/10).

"I would like to remind that the Security Council has a great responsibility to maintain peace and security, not to allow prolonged war or help one of the parties continue the war," the Indonesian Foreign Minister said during the UN Security Council High-Level Open Debate on the situation in the Middle East held in New York, October 24, 2023.

The Foreign Minister also said that the Security Council must not remain silent witnessing the disasters and crimes against humanity that are taking place in Palestine. Attacks on hospitals and places of worship, blockade of electricity, water, fuel, and expulsion of Gazans are carried out by Israel in the name of collective punishment.

At the same time, civilians are being held hostage and face threats to their lives.

"I would like to ask how the Security Council will carry out its responsibilities? When will the Security Council stop the war in Gaza, realize a ceasefire, open access to humanitarian assistance, call for the release of civilians, and stop the illegal occupation by Israel?" the Foreign Minister asked.

She added that every second wasted due to political differences and failure to reach consensus is a defeat for humanity and exacerbates instability.

"How many more lives must be sacrificed before the Security Council takes action?" she asked.

Retno emphasized that Indonesia is wasting no time in mobilizing international support for immediate action. Through the OIC, ASEAN, and ASEAN-GCC, D8 meetings, Indonesia called for a unified voice to urge the cessation of violence and focus on the issue of humanitarian disasters.

Indonesia urged three things to be done immediately, namely:

First, a joint call for an immediate ceasefire.

"The silence amidst the deafening whizzing of bullets and rocket explosions is appalling. Absolute support for either side has fueled disproportionate use of force, violations of international humanitarian law, and impunity. It is our collective duty to end the cycle of violence before it escalates into a regional and global catastrophe," the Foreign Minister said.

Second, prioritize humanitarian access.

"More than 2 million Gazans' lives are at risk due to lack of access to basic needs. Humanitarian aid convoys are constrained and threatened by crossfire. The Security Council must immediately urge safe and smooth access to humanitarian assistance and respect for international humanitarian law," said the Foreign Minister.

Third, humanity must be returned to the Security Council

"Please use your great power for humanity. Palestinians deserve equal rights and treatment. We are all human beings. We all deserve to have a home. We must reject the expulsion of Palestinians. Do not let the tragedy of 1948 happen again," she said.

"The Security Council has great power, and with great power comes great responsibility, to address the situation in Gaza and its root causes, and ensure the realization of a two-state solution," she said. (Ministry of Foreign Affairs)