Indonesia calls on OIC to unite, be at forefront in resolving crisis in Gaza

The Organization of Islamic Cooperation must propose a more predictable and sustainable aid mechanism considering that the humanitarian situation in Gaza is very worrying.

 

Jakarta (Indonesia Window) – Indonesian President Joko Widodo encouraged the Organization of Islamic Cooperation to unite and be at the forefront in resolving the crisis in Gaza, Palestine.

President Joko Wdodo made the call when speaking at the Extraordinary Summit of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) which was held at the King Abdulaziz International Convention Center (KAICC), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Saturday (11/11).

“The OIC must be united, must be at the forefront using all peaceful means, all influence and all diplomatic efforts to defend justice and humanity for Palestine,” President Widodo aid as quoted by the Indonesian Cabinet Secretariat on its official website on Sunday.

The president also supports the holding of the OIC Summit which is considered very appropriate to do, and emphasized that the OIC must be able to produce concrete things so that Israeli atrocities in Gaza can be stopped immediately.

“One month has been going on with this atrocity (and) the world seems completely helpless. “There are more than 7.9 billion people in the world, more than 190 leaders of countries, but until now no one has been able to stop this cruelty,” he noted.

For this reason, the Indonesian head of state made four concrete suggestions when speaking before leaders of the Islamic countries. First, he calling for an immediate ceasefire.

“Without a ceasefire, the situation will not improve. Israel has been using a self-defense narrative and continues to kill civilians. This is nothing but collective punishment. “We all have to find a way for Israel to immediately implement a ceasefire,” he stressed.

Second, he president encouraged humanitarian aid to be accelerated and expanded in scope. The Organization of Islamic Cooperation must propose a more predictable and sustainable aid mechanism considering that the humanitarian situation in Gaza is very worrying.

“The humanitarian situation is very worrying. For example, the Indonesian Hospital in North Gaza continues to be the target of Israeli attacks. Since yesterday it has been running out of fuel. “Indonesia asks all parties to respect international humanitarian law,” he stated.

Third, the head of state called on the OIC to use all fronts to hold Israel accountable for the humanitarian atrocities it has committed.

For example, calling for access to the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory which was formed by the UN Human Rights Council to carry out its mandate.

“And continue to support the advisory opinion process at the International Court of Justice,” he added.

Fourth, the OIC must urge peace negotiations to restart immediately in order to realize a two-state solution and reject the idea of a one-state solution, which will only result in Palestine being sacrificed.

If the four mechanism cannot make through, the OIC must encourage the peace negotiation process with a new format, and Indonesia is ready to contribute to the peace negotiations, Widodo said.

At the end of his statement, President Widodo asked for support from OIC leaders to convey the results of the Extraordinary OIC Summit to United States President Joe Biden.

“From Riyadh I have been scheduled to pay a bilateral visit to the United States. With the permission of the leaders, I will convey the results of today’s OIC decision to President Biden,” he said.

Reporting by Indonesia Window