REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, NEW YORK -- Indonesia and other member states of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) have reaffirmed their commitment to supporting the Palestinian people's struggle for their country's independence.
"Palestine is at the heart of Indonesia's politics, and in every breath of the nation's diplomacy, there is Palestine," Indonesian Foreign Affairs Minister Retno L. P. Marsudi stated after attending a ministerial-level meeting of the NAM held on the sidelines of the 72nd UN General Assembly (UNGA) Session at the UN Headquarters, here, Tuesday.
During the meeting, the participants agreed on several issues, such as on the importance of increasing Palestine's status in the international fora, among other things.
Minister Marsudi urged NAM member countries that have not recognized Palestine officially to grant recognition soon and support the country to gain full membership of the UN.
The NAM member countries should also voice their concerns over Israel's illegal settlement and violence against Palestinians at every diplomatic level.
Besides this, NAM member states should help to create a conducive environment for the resumption of negotiations between Palestine and Israel.
"We also urged NAM member countries having diplomatic ties with Israel to pressure the country," she noted.
International organizations should voice stronger opposition towards Israel and lend stronger support to the struggle of the Palestinian people.
Besides this, offering capacity building assistance to Palestine is crucial, she stated.
"During a general debate (of the UNGA), the vice president (M. Jusuf Kalla) will speak. Insha Allah (God Willing), we will also bring up the Palestinian issue," she noted.
The general debate of the 72nd UNGA Session was opened on Tuesday, and Vice President Kalla is scheduled to speak on Thursday, (Sept 21).
Kalla is currently in New York to lead the Indonesian delegation at the UNGA Session.