Indonesian FM Walks Out of UN Security Council during Israeli Envoy speech

Jakarta, The Gulf Observer: Indonesian Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudi staged a diplomatic protest during the UN Security Council (UNSC) open debate on “The situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian Question,” held in New York on Tuesday. Minister Marsudi, along with delegation chairs of several other countries, walked out of the session while Israel’s Ambassador to the UN, Gilad Erdan, was delivering his speech.

Lalu Muhamad Iqbal, spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, confirmed the walkout through a text message, stating that Minister Marsudi took the step as a response to Israel’s ambassador not being present in the room during speeches delivered by delegates from Indonesia and other member states of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).

“Likewise, the delegations of Indonesia and a number of OIC countries were also not in the room when Israel’s permanent representative delivered his statement,” Iqbal remarked.

During the session, Minister Marsudi expressed Indonesia’s strong rejection of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s statement opposing the establishment of a Palestinian state post-conflict. She characterized the statement as unacceptable, emphasizing that it signifies Israel’s ultimate goal to eradicate Palestine from the world map.

To prevent further escalation in the Middle East, Minister Marsudi called for an immediate ceasefire, providing a window to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. She urged relevant parties to embark on post-conflict reconstruction and emphasized the continuation of the two-state solution process.

Furthermore, Minister Marsudi stressed the imperative of granting Palestine full membership in the United Nations without delay, deeming it essential for initiating fair and balanced work on the two-state solution and curbing Israel’s alleged brutal aggression.

At the UN Security Council meeting, Minister Marsudi also urged the international community to cease the flow of weapons to Israel that could potentially be used to harm innocent civilians. She underscored the necessity of holding Israel accountable for its actions, including alleged atrocities in Gaza, emphasizing that no nation should be above the law.

Indonesia’s walkout stands as a symbolic gesture, signaling strong dissent against statements perceived as detrimental to the prospects of peace and stability in the Middle East. The move highlights Indonesia’s commitment to championing the rights and aspirations of the Palestinian people on the global stage.