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RI condemns Israeli govt for E. Jerusalem settlements
Indonesia condemned Thursday the decision of the Israeli government to continue expanding settlements in East Jerusalem, calling on the international communities to launch a collective action to urge Israel to halt settlement building
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ndonesia condemned Thursday the decision of the Israeli government to continue expanding settlements in East Jerusalem, calling on the international communities to launch a collective action to urge Israel to halt settlement building.
Indonesia Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa said the settlement building had gone against international law and a UN resolution, risking peace process efforts in the region torn by decades of conflict.
"The Indonesian government strongly condemns the decision of the Israel government to develop settlement building in East Jerusalem," Marty told the press after opening an exhibition forum at the foreign ministry building.
The Israeli government Tuesday approved the development of 900 homes in East Jerusalem in a movement that has drawn criticism from Washington. The UN Security resolution in 1979 declared that Israel's settlement on land it occupied in 1967 war is illegal.
"The Israeli government is apparently not ready for talks as they keep coming up with decisions that hampers *peace efforts*" said Marty.
Israel defied request from Washington to block the additional settlement Monday when US special envoy George Mitchell met with an aide to Israel Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu in London.
Washington said the move was counterproductive to efforts to relaunch the stalled peace talk between the two. Palestine said they would only resume the negotiations after Israel stopped building the settlements.
"Other countries, including the United States and other Western countries have voiced similar concern... International communities have to join up efforts to urge Israel government to halt the settlement," said Marty.
Indonesia is a staunch supporter of Palestinian cause, citing rights of independence for every nation as enshrined in the country's Constitution.
Jakarta has no diplomatic ties with Israel.
Palestine officials have recently stated Palestine might declare unilateral independence without Israel's consent, reflecting frustrations at deadlock in peace talks. Chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat told a local media that Palestine had decided to seek UN Security Council for support for establishing a state in the West Bank, Gaza Strip and East Jerusalem.
Reuters reported that the State Department had declined direct comment on the Palestinian plan, but saying that they wanted the negotiation to resume. Experts said Palestinian efforts would be met with a veto from Washington in the Security Council.
The European Union called the recognition of a Palestinian state "premature", saying it should concentrate on resuming negotiations.
Muslim countries, which are supporters of Palestinian cause, including Indonesia, have not made available their position on the Palestinian idea of unilateral independence.
The Palestinians already once announced unilateral independence in 1988 but the declaration was not followed up by implementation on the ground.
