JakartaPost-Oct 27, 2023
Indonesia has stood firm in its clarion call for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, which is currently besieged and blockaded by Israel, as the international response is thwarted by the “selective moral policing” of the West. The world’s failure to produce a negotiated text, much less come up with collective action after nearly three weeks of bloody violence in the Palestinian territory, was a reflection of a collective lack of humanity in the face of stark political differences, Foreign Minister Retno LP Marsudi asserted in an address to the United Nations Security Council. She aired her grievances on the same day that the council had, for a fourth consecutive time, failed to pass a resolution on the ongoing conflict, despite rising death tolls and appalling living conditions on the Palestinian side. “The silence is harrowing against the deafening sound of bullets and rockets,” Retno remarked. “Every second wasted due to political disagreement and failure of consensus represents a humanitarian defeat for the Palestinians and creates further instability for the world.” During that session on Wednesday, Retno underlined the importance of access to humanitarian assistance. She also threw a jab at the apparent bias in favor of Israel and reaffirmed that Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territories must stop to make way for long-lasting peace. “Blanket support shown to one side has so far led to further disproportionate use of force, violations of international humanitarian law and impunity,” she said. “How many more lives should perish before this august council makes a move?” Retno insisted that Jakarta would not stay silent. “I can assure you one thing: Indonesia will not waste any single second in harnessing global support for immediate action,” she said in her address. Read more at: https://www.thejakartapost.com/world/2023/10/27/indonesia-slams-western-bias-regarding-gaza-siege-at-security-council.html.
