VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

VOInews, Jakarta: Iranian Ambassador to Indonesia Mohammad Boroujerdi appreciated the Indonesian government's firm and principled stance in supporting Palestine and condemning the crimes of the Israeli Zionist regime, especially during the last six months.

"For me as a foreign ambassador, the honorable Mr. Joko Widodo and Mrs. Retno Marsudi are two heroes who stand on the right side in the current conditions (the Israeli-Palestinian conflict)," said Ambassador Boroujerdi during a media briefing on the theme of International Al-Quds Day. at his residence in Jakarta, Wednesday (3/4) evening.

Quoted from Antaranews on Thursday (4/4), The Ambassador said that the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Republic of Indonesia, as two important Islamic countries both bilaterally and through international forums, have always supported the Palestinian struggle.

"Both countries have the same principles regarding Palestine and base their position on the full independence and liberation of Palestine," he said.

Ambassador Boroujerdi added that the brave speech of the Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs in international forums and organizations such as the UN Security Council, UN General Assembly, UN Human Rights Council and International Court, shows the continuation of Indonesia's continuous support for the realization of Palestinian independence.

Since the Israeli Zionist regime launched its deadly and genocidal attack on Gaza in October 2023, more than 30,000 Gazans have lost their lives, 70 percent of whom are women and children.

"Every day the international community witnesses the murder of innocent Palestinian women and children without taking effective action to stop these heinous crimes," he said.

According to the ambassador, the lack of serious action by the international human rights community against the forced displacement, ethnic cleansing and genocide of Palestinians by the Zionist regime occurs when the Israeli regime always tries to purify its inhuman face by referring to the Holocaust.

Furthermore, Ambassador Boroujerdi said that although it took the world community seven decades to realize the true nature of the Zionist regime, it was still not too late to take global and international steps to stop the Israeli regime's crimes.

"Effective and timely action by the global and international community to stop the crimes of the Zionist regime can prevent the situation from getting worse and the coordinated action of the Islamic community in support of Palestine can have the greatest impact on the process of Palestinian independence," he said.

VOInews, Jakarta: The Palestinian delegation to the United Nations is pushing for a vote to be recognized as a full member state next month, Ambassador Riyad Mansour said Wednesday, a move opposed by the United States.

"We are seeking admission. That is our natural and legal right," Mansour said, adding that he was pushing for an April 18 vote at the Security Council.

"Everyone is saying 'two-state solution,' then what is the logic of denying us to become a member state?" he added.

Any request to become a UN member state must first pass a vote by the Security Council -- where Israel's ally the United States and four other countries wield vetoes -- and then be endorsed by a two-thirds majority in the General Assembly.

Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas originally launched the statehood application in 2011. It was not considered by the Security Council, but the General Assembly the following year granted a more limited observer status to the "State of Palestine."

The Palestinian Authority submitted a letter to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres asking for the Security Council to reconsider on Tuesday.

Source: AFP

File - Indonesian weightlifter Eko Yuli Irawan performs the snatch lift in the men's 61 kg category during the 2023 SEA Games in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, on May 13, 2023. (ANTARA PHOTOS/Muhammad Adimaja/aww/nbl) - 

VOInews, Jakarta : The Indonesian Olympic Committee (NOC) applauded lifter Eko Yuli Irawan for his fifth Olympic participation streak after passing the qualifications for the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. 

"He has made a new historical feat in Indonesian sports by becoming the first athlete to compete in five consecutive Olympics," NOC Indonesia Chairperson Raja Sapta Oktohari said in a press release on Wednesday.

Irawan secured a spot to compete in the 2024 Olympics after completing a 133 kg snatch at the International Weightlifting World Cup in Phuket, Thailand, on Tuesday.

However, the 34-year-old lifter did not complete his clean-and-jerk due to his ongoing recovery from a knee injury.

The 2024 Olympics will be Irawan's fifth consecutive Olympics since his first appearance at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing. The lifter had won silver medals in the 2016 and 2020 Olympics and bronze medals in the 2008 and 2012 Olympics.

Oktohari said that NOC Indonesia is glad that Irawan qualified again for the Olympics. He stated that Irawan's consistency in presenting his best performance should be exemplary for other Indonesian athletes.

He hailed Indonesian weightlifters for always participating in the Olympics and contributing medals for the nation's contingent. He also appealed for support from Indonesians to win the gold medal at the 2024 Olympics.

"We hope we can get our first gold medal in Paris in 2024," Oktohari stated.

According to NOC Indonesia, eight athletes have qualified to participate in the 2024 Olympics. They are Eko Yuli Irawan from weightlifting, Arif Dwi Pangestu and Diananda Choirunisa from archery, and Rifda Irfanaluthfi from gymnastics.

Meanwhile, Desak Made Rita Kusuma Dewi and Rahmad Adi Mulyono from sport climbing, Fathur Gustafian from shooting, and Rio Waida from surfing also qualified for the Olympics//ANTARA-VOI

Indonesian Foreign Affairs Minister, Retno Marsudi (Photo : Antara) -  

VOInews, Jakarta : Minister of Indonesian Foreign Affairs, Retno Marsudi held a meeting with ambassadors from Arab countries in Jakarta, Tuesday (2/4) to discuss developments in the Palestinian issue, especially the crisis in the Gaza Strip. 

During the discussion which lasted for one hour, Retno conveyed the importance of united attitudes and positions in supporting the struggle of the Palestinian people, as well as having a moral responsibility to support Palestine.

Indonesia and Arab countries can focus on ensuring the implementation of Resolution 2728 of the UN Security Council (UNSC) 2024 - which contains the issue of a ceasefire. The Indonesian Foreign Minister’s meeting with representatives of Arab countries was attended by seven ambassadors, namely from Palestine, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Algeria, Syria, Oman and Egypt. 

In addition, 13 officials representing the embassies of Bahrain, Mauritania, Yemen,Lebanon, United Arab Emirates, Iraq, Libya, Qatar, Kuwait, Tunisia,Sudan, Somalia and Morocco also participated in the meeting//ANTARA-VOI