NU appreciates govt initiative to take up issues on Palestine

New York, NU Online
The Indonesia's largest Muslim organization Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) greatly appreciated the initiative of the Indonesian government in continuing to promote discussion on the Palestinian issue at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).

"As part of effort to build world peace, Indonesia must take a stand against any effort to underestimate Palestine and make sure to initiate any peace process in addition to voice the recognition of the state of Palestine," Deputry Secretary General of NU KH Abdul Muním DZ told NU Online here over the weekend.

As stated by Director of International Security and Disarmament of the Foreign Ministry of Indonesia Grata Endah Werdaningtyas, "It is imperative to settle the Palestinian issue. We are working towards regaining global attention towards the Palestinian issue. We are encouraging a meeting of any format to discuss the Palestinian issue to ensure that it will become the focus of the UNSC's attention," Grata noted in New York, the United States, recently.

Werdaningtyas affirmed that the Indonesian government remained committed to ensuring that its membership of the UNSC for the 2019-2020 term and chairmanship of the UNSC in May 2019 will facilitate discussion on the Palestinian issue and drum up support for Palestine at the UNSC.

"We will bring to the attention of the (UNSC) that the Palestinian issue has had an impact on international peace," she remarked.

Werdaningtyas highlighted Indonesia's resolve prior to an informal discussion "Arria Formula" on Palestine under Indonesia's chairmanship at the UNSC to be held at the UN Headquarters in New York on Thursday (May 9).

The informal discussion will lay emphasis on discussion on the construction of various illegal settlements by Israel occupying the Palestinian people's land. The discussion will prioritize legal and humanitarian aspects and stress the UNSC Resolution No. 2334 of 2016.

Resolution 2334 stipulates putting an immediate halt to the construction of Israeli settlements on Palestinian land and terms the construction of settlements as a "violation of international law."

Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi will open the discussion that all UN member states can attend. Representatives of 15 UNSC member states are expected to attend the discussion. (Masdar)