Taufan Al Aqsa is a record of the Palestinian people's struggle in line with the support of the Indonesian people for Palestinian independence.

Jakarta (Indonesia Window) – Indonesian Minister of Culture Fadli Zon appreciates the book by Ustadz Fahmi Salim entitled 'Taufan Al Aqsa' (the Operation of Al Aqsa Storm), calling it a record of the Palestinian people's struggle that is ‘in line with the support of the Indonesian people’ for Palestinian independence.

"The Taufan Al Aqsa book is the support of the Indonesian people for Palestine in literacy. This book is important for understanding the Palestinian struggle in their efforts towards independence and sovereignty," Fadli Zon said.

Fadli Zon made remarks at the National Conference to Celebrate the Victory of Palestine and Gaza, as well as the Launch of the TAUFAN AL AQSA Book, held by the Friendship and Civilization Study Foundation (YPSP) at the Indonesian People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR RI) building here, Friday (Jan. 31).

According to him, supports from the civil society, NGOs (non-governmental organizations), and the Indonesian people in general in defending Palestine has never been absent.

"The construction of an Indonesian hospital in Gaza, the provision of scholarships for Palestinian students to study in Indonesia, and other humanitarian aid always flow through various channels," he said.

Indonesia's support for Palestine is also always conveyed in every international forum, such as BRICS, G20, G8, and the world parliamentary forum,” he added.

“We consistently emphasize that independence is the right of all nations and colonialism in the world must be abolished," Fadli Zon noted, adding that Indonesia will continue to support all forms of struggle to achieve Palestinian independence until it becomes a sovereign country.

He further said, at the World Parliamentary League for Al Quds and Palestine, various issues and narratives to defend Palestinian interests are always voiced.

"At the P20 in India after October 7, 2023, we conveyed that the West applies double standards in viewing the Palestinian conflict. On the one hand, they defend Ukraine whose territory was taken by Russia, but in the same case and almost at the same time, they do not support Palestine," he explained.

This double standard stance, he continued, actually shows that "the West is increasingly losing its moral guidance, by pretending to defend human rights, but instead allowing victims to continue to fall in Gaza as up to 70 percent (of the more than 46,000 victims who died) were women and children."

"We cannot tolerate colonization on Earth," he stated.

In his speech, the Indonesian Minister of Culture said, "every day we see victims falling in Gaza, and many think that Gaza will be easy to occupy with sophisticated and extraordinary weapons. However, the reality says otherwise. The strength of the people and the determination of the Palestinians in Gaza can even defeat Israel which is supported by major countries, including superpowers."

"January 2025 is a historic moment for the people of Gaza who initiated the ceasefire. This is a very important year to restore the territory occupied by Israel for decades since 1948. We want the restoration of Palestinian territory and sovereignty to be created in accordance with the 1967 borders," said Fadli Zon.

The ceasefire in Gaza shows progress in efforts to create peace in Gaza. However, "Of course we cannot be careless because there are still many problems that we must resolve," he noted.

"There is still an international moral responsibility to ensure that Gazans return to their homes and their places safely, as well as securing humanitarian corridors that have not been fully opened, both through Egypt and Jordan. This is important for us to push," Fadli Zon said.

Reporting by Indonesia Window