January 21, 2025 | 09:17 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - In an open session at the UN Security Council (UNSC) on the situation in the Middle East and the Palestinian question on Monday, January 20, 2025, Indonesian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Arrmanatha Nasir conveyed a firm call for the UNSC to immediately take concrete steps to end the suffering of the people of Palestine, following the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas.
“We welcome the ceasefire agreement in Gaza,” Arrmanatha said, as quoted from a press statement from the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Tuesday, January 21, 2025. “The ceasefire is a vital first step towards attaining peace in the Middle East.”
On that occasion, Arrmanatha regretted that this agreement was only reached after tens of thousands of casualties. The UN Security Council must ensure that every phase of this agreement is fully implemented and stop the recurring cycle of violence.
Furthermore, Arrmanatha also highlighted the continued construction of illegal settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, which is accompanied by growing violence and impunity. In his statement, the Deputy Foreign Minister underscored two priorities to achieve after the ceasefire agreement.
First, end the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza. To do this, humanitarian aid must flow freely and without restriction. Arrmanatha emphasized the importance of safety guarantees for humanitarian workers and urged that Gaza reconstruction efforts begin to be prepared, including the lifting of the 18-year blockade that has paralyzed Gaza's economy.
“UNRWA's role is indespensible in these efforts,” he said. “UNSC must shield the agency from persisting threats and misinformation campaigns.”
Second, he urged the UNSC to develop a comprehensive political plan to end the Israel-Palestine conflict by supporting a two-state solution as a path to peace. The Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs believes the two-state solution is the only way to a just future for Palestine and Israel. “Other alternatives will only lead to apartheid and subjugation.”
Arrmanatha called on the international community to foster genuine dialogue to address the root causes of colonialism and historical injustice in Palestine.
Not only that, Arrmanatha also invited the UN Security Council to prove its relevance. Amidst the increasingly complex global situation, the UNSC must be able to break the deadlock and push for a reform.
“History will judge whether the UN Security Council rises to the occasion or fades into irrelevance,” he said.
The UNSC open debate session on Monday is chaired by Algerian Foreign Minister Ahmed Attaf, who served as President of the UNSC in January. The “Middle East, including the Palestinian Question” is a quarterly agenda that has been discussed for over 7 decades.
The UNSC session this time was also attended by seven countries at the ministerial level, including Palestine, Slovenia, Colombia, Namibia, and Sierra Leone, which confirmed the Palestinian issue as one of high concern from countries in various regions.
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