Jakarta: Indonesia has called on Australia, Japan, and South Korea to recognize Palestine, a move Jakarta says will be a “game-changer” to achieve peace in the Middle East.
Indonesia has long been a staunch supporter of Palestinians, who were among the first to recognize Indonesian independence from Dutch colonial rule in 1945. Its people and government see Palestinian statehood as mandated by their own constitution, which calls for the abolition of colonialism.
During the recent Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit in Vientiane, Laos, which included meetings with Western and East Asian leaders, Vice President Ma’ruf Amin raised the issue of Israel’s occupation of Palestine.
“The vice president brought the message of Palestine in almost every meeting,” Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi said in a recorded press statement.
“But specifically during meetings with South Korea, Japan, and Australia, the vice president urged them to recognize Palestine as soon as possible.”
The State of Palestine is recognized by 146 countries around the world as of June this year, comprising about 75 percent of all UN member states.
While most of Asia, the Middle East, and Africa recognize Palestinian statehood, the US, Canada, Australia, Japan, and South Korea are among those that do not.
“Indonesia has consistently called for all countries which have yet to recognize Palestine to do so. We believe this move will be a game-changer in the peace process for Palestine specifically and also in the Middle East,” Foreign Affairs Ministry spokesman Roy Soemirat told Arab News on Sunday.
“With recognition, we believe that Palestine will have a stronger bargaining position against Israel, as both countries become widely recognized by the international community.”
More than a year since Israel launched its war on Gaza, its military has killed at least 42,000 people and injured over 97,000. The real death toll is feared to be much higher, with estimates published by the medical journal The Lancet indicating that as of July, it could be more than 186,000.
“It is only right for all countries to act to stop further loss of life,” Soemirat said. “For Indonesia, it is high time for these countries to give their recognition of Palestine. Any more delay and Israel will continue with its violent attacks.”
