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View all search resultsAmid condolences and support from around the world following recent terrorist attacks in Surabaya, Indonesia has reasserted its opposition to the United States’ decision to relocate its embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem on Monday
mid condolences and support from around the world following recent terrorist attacks in Surabaya, Indonesia has reasserted its opposition to the United States’ decision to relocate its embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem on Monday.
Even as Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi expressed her appreciation to dozens of foreign diplomats during an event on Monday for the support they were showing Indonesia over the attacks that left at least 25 people dead and dozens injured dozens, she said, “Today is also a sad day, because today the US will relocate and move its embassy to Jerusalem. On top of violating various [United Nations] resolutions, the relocation would threaten the peace process and peace itself.”
The new US Embassy in Jerusalem was formerly one of the country’s consulate buildings. The relocation followed US President Donald Trump’s recognition of the disputed city as Israel’s capital in December.
The inauguration was attended by Israeli officials and a White House delegation led by US Deputy Secretary of State John Sullivan and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, Agence France-Presse reported. Trump did not attend, but his daughter Ivanka and her husband Jared Kushner did. The relocation signified the US’ effective recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, which caused concern around the world.
Both Muslim-majority and many Western countries have said the US decision was unwise and likely to exacerbate tensions.
The Associated Press reported that Irish Foreign Minister Simon Coveney said on Monday that the move “is inflaming already a very tense situation and the relationship between Israelis and Palestinians”. His Dutch counterpart, Stef Blok, said “We don’t consider it a wise decision to move the embassy.” Meanwhile, Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov on Monday described the relocation of the embassy as “short-sighted”.
Retno said Indonesia was still against the US decision.
“The position of the government of Indonesia remains and will always be consistent in supporting the Palestinians in achieving their rights,” she said. “The Palestine issue is at the heart of Indonesia’s foreign policy, and Indonesia strongly calls upon other countries not to follow the decision of the US to relocate their embassies to Jerusalem.”
Retno was reiterating President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo’s statement on Friday, when he said the move would hamper peace efforts in the disputed area.
Jokowi went on to urge the UN Security Council and UN General Assembly to discuss the issue and determine further measures to address it, while emphasizing that Indonesia and its people were committed to standing with the Palestinian people.
Also on Friday, hundreds of Indonesian people gathered at the National Monument (Monas) park in Central Jakarta to protest the relocation. The protest was joined by several Islamic groups, including the Islam Defenders Front (FPI) and the Islam Defenders Troops (LPI), as well as several public figures and well-known ulema.
However, questions loomed over whether Indonesia could do more. Retno was set to leave for the UN headquarters in New York on Monday evening on her final campaign trip for Indonesia’s non-permanent seat on the Security Council. Voting is to be held next month.
When she was asked about her priorities if Indonesia managed to get the seat, she said Indonesia wanted to be a true partner for peace. She said the world would ask: “Regardless of whether you are a big or small country, how is your track record in contributing to the world’s peace security and prosperity?”
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