Indonesia Condemns Israel Law on Illegal Israeli Settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Land

Israeli parliament passes West Bank outposts bill.
Jakarta, 15 Jumadil Awwal 1438/12 February 2017 (MINA) – Indonesia has condemned the enactment of the Law by Israel which provides the legal basis for the status of illegal settlements built on Palestinian territory occupied by Israel.

The law, known as “Regulation Bill”, was passed by the Israeli Parliament or Knesset on February 7, 2017, kemlu.go.id reported on Saturday.

It provides the legal basis for Israel to retroactively validate (Legalize) status and give impunity to thousands of building illegal
settlements that have been built by Israel in the land and the Palestinian territories since the beginning of the Israeli occupation in 1967.

Enforcement of the law is clearly contrary to UN Security Council Resolution (UNSC) 2334 (2016) regarding the illegal Israeli settlements built in the Palestinian territories (West Bank, Gaza, and East Jerusalem).

The UN Security Council resolution and various other related resolutions have affirmed that the construction of illegal settlements in the Palestinian territories occupied by Israel since 1967 have no legal entity and is a serious violation of international law.

To that end, the UN Security Council called on Israel to immediately halt all forms of settlement activity is illegal.

The government of Indonesia believes that “Regulation Bill” would be a serious obstacle to the peace process that is comprehensive, equitable and sustainable, as well as hinder the embodiment of “Solution Two States” (two-state solution), as has been reaffirmed in the Conference on the Middle East Peace in Paris on the 15th January 2017.

Unilateral application of this law is a violation of international law and it is feared could provoke tensions, clashes and violence in the occupied territories.

To that end, the Government of Indonesia calling on the UN and the international community to break the silence and take immediate and decisive steps against the Israeli policy which proved to be not in line with the international spirit of the peace process in the Middle East.

As one of the leading countries that support the Palestinian struggle for independence in line with the mandate of the 1945 Constitution, the Government of Indonesia is ready to cooperate with the international community in supporting the peace process between the Palestinians and Israel. (T/RS05/RS01)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)