INDONESIA UNDERTAKE CONSULATE IN PALESTINE

Discussion between Indonesian humanitarian agencies and Indonesian Government at Minisrty of Foreign Affair Headquarters (photo: Afta/mirajnews.com)

Jakarta, 13 Shawwal 1435/9 August 2014 (MINA) – Directorate General for  Middle East  Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia, Febrian A. Ruddyard said Indonesia government is continuesly undertaking its consulate in Palestine.

According to Febrian, the realization of the consulate proved that Indonesia recognized Palestine as a state. It strengthened relations between Indonesia and the country, particularly in trading, education, and culture exchange.

Indonesia planed to open consulate in Ramallah but the area was still occupied by Zionist Israel. It is impossible for Indonesia to negotiate with Israel because Indonesia have no diplomatic relations with the occupier.

” Indonesian government commited not to work together with Israel, “he said.

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Nowadays, Indonesia- Palestine relation is handled by Indonesian Embassy in Amman, Jordan, while Palestine Gaza  relation is handled by Indonesian embassy in Cairo, Egypt.

The Ministry actually has discussed the idea of placing its ​​ consulate in Ramallah In April 2012. They even planned to process the candidates to fill the post. Palestinian President, Mahmoud Abbas has approved the plan at that time.

The Opening is expected to improve diplomatic relations between Indonesia and Palestine.

The Chairman of Commission I, Indonesia Legislative Assembly, Mahfudz Siddiq also revealed the idea to President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY) . He urged Indonesian government to immediately open its representative in the country. ” Indonesia  people showed strong solidarity in support to Palestinian struggle,” he said.

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Some Islamic organizations which can be honourable conculate such as Jama’ah Muslimin (Hizbullah), Medical Emergency Rescue Committee (MER-C), Aqsa Working Group (AWG), Al-Fatah Foundation, Shuffah Quran Abdullah bin Mas’ud (SQABM) and Mi ‘raj Islamic News Agency (MINA), on behalf of Conference of al-Quds and Palestine Liberation 2012, proposed Honorary Consulate in Gaza on Monday 7 march 2014.

Chairman of the delegation, Agus Sudarmaji, said that the main reason placing honorary consulate in Gaza is the unity between Fatah-Hamas faction. Gaza is the most likely place for the placement of Indonesian consulate because there are Indonesian citizens there. The reconciliation of Hamas and Fatah, the both (Gaza and Ramallah are allowed.

Another reason is Indonesia must ask permission to Zionist Israel if they wants to open its consulate in Ramallah because the region is undercontlrolled by Israel.

There are Indonesian citizens who are building Indonesian hospital supporting by  local residents, officials in Gaza and Indonesian humanitarian MER-C  in Beyt Lahiya, North Gaza.

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Presidium of MER-C, dr. Joserizal Journalists, said humanitarian diplomacy is one of Indonesian support toward Palestinian struggle.

Indonesian Hospital in Gaza can be a humanitarian diplomacy with 19 Indonesian volunteers there. ” Indonesian Hospital is a donation from Indonesian people to Palestinians. All the funds are purely from Indonesian people ,” said Jose.(L /P02/Syt/P04).

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)

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