Indonesian FM on occupied Palestine and Indonesia democracy path | Talk to Al Jazeera

Summary

In an interview with Al Jazeera, Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi discusses the nation's strong stance on Palestinian rights amidst the escalating Gaza conflict. Marsudi emphasizes Indonesia's commitment to international law and condemns double standards by Western countries. She highlights Indonesia's diplomatic efforts, including active participation in the International Court of Justice and dialogue with global leaders. Marsudi also addresses Indonesia's constitutional mandate for self-determination and defends its foreign policy principles, including economic diplomacy and the protection of Indonesian nationals abroad.

Takeaways

• 🌍 The world is focusing on the International Court of Justice (ICJ) due to the escalating conflict in Gaza.
• 🇮🇩 Indonesia is advocating for Palestinian rights and opposing Israel's occupation of Palestinian territories.
• 🗣️ Indonesia's constitution mandates support for the right to self-determination, influencing its stance on Palestine.
• 🛑 Indonesia emphasizes the need for consistent implementation of international law without double standards.
• 🇺🇸 Discussions with the US highlighted the importance of ceasefire and the two-state solution.
• 🕌 Indonesia, as a prominent Muslim-majority country, feels a responsibility to advocate for Palestinian rights.
• 🕊️ The ICJ case is seen as a vital step in addressing long-standing issues between Israel and Palestine.
• ⚖️ Indonesia rejects normalization with Israel without a two-state solution and continues to support Palestine.
• 💼 Indonesia's accession to the OECD is a significant step, despite challenges posed by Israel.
• 🔄 Indonesia's foreign policy has shifted towards economic diplomacy and protecting its nationals abroad.

Q & A

Why is the case at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) regarding the occupation of Palestinian territories important to Indonesia?

Indonesia has a long-standing commitment to supporting Palestinian rights, as mandated by its constitution. The Indonesian government believes it is their duty to advocate for justice and humanity, particularly in response to the atrocities committed against Palestinians over the past 70 years.

What is the Indonesian foreign minister's stance on the implementation of international law?

The Indonesian foreign minister emphasizes the importance of implementing international law consistently and without double standards. She criticizes the selective application of international law, particularly by Western countries, and calls for a uniform approach.

How does the Indonesian foreign minister view the role of the United States in the Palestinian conflict?

The Indonesian foreign minister acknowledges the United States' role but expresses concern over its vetoes in the UN Security Council and the perceived double standards in its approach. She urges the U.S. to maintain its position on issues like displacement and the two-state solution.

What is Indonesia's position on normalization with Israel in relation to OECD accession?

Indonesia's position is clear: the country will not normalize relations with Israel without the establishment of a two-state solution. The accession to the OECD is not conditional on normalization with Israel, and Indonesia remains firm in its stance.

How does Indonesia approach the concept of self-determination in the context of Papua and Maluku?

The Indonesian foreign minister distinguishes the situation in Papua and Maluku from the Palestinian issue, emphasizing that they are entirely different cases. She implies that the historical and contextual factors make these situations incomparable.

Why hasn't Indonesia signed the Genocide Convention, and what is its position on the issue?

Indonesia has not signed the Genocide Convention because there is no national consensus on the matter. However, Indonesia supports the moral principles behind the convention and expresses solidarity with countries like South Africa in their efforts to address genocide-related issues.

What concerns have been raised about Indonesia's democracy under President Joko Widodo?

Concerns include the nomination of the president's son as a vice presidential candidate and the lowering of the age limit by the Constitutional Court, perceived as nepotism. There are worries about potential setbacks in democratic reforms, but the foreign minister insists that democracy is part of Indonesia's DNA.

What legacy does the Indonesian foreign minister believe she leaves after ten years in office?

The foreign minister highlights the shift in focus towards economic diplomacy, emphasizing economic cooperation and the protection of Indonesian nationals abroad. She also mentions Indonesia's leadership roles in international forums like the G20 and ASEAN during challenging times.

How does the Indonesian foreign minister view the future of Indonesia in the global context?

The foreign minister hopes that Indonesia will continue to play a bridging role in the global arena, advocating for collaboration and resilience amidst increasing global uncertainties and challenges.

How does the foreign minister justify Indonesia's actions at the international level concerning the Palestinian issue?

The foreign minister asserts that Indonesia is actively involved in various international forums, advocating for Palestinian rights. She argues that Indonesia's involvement is often behind the scenes but remains significant and visible in diplomatic efforts.