TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has shed light on the reasons why foreign ministers, including the current minister Retno Marsudi, have not undertaken a working visit to Palestine.

Despite Retno's active advocacy for Palestinian rights on the international stage, logistical hurdles have prevented an official visit. According to Abdul Kadir Jailani, Director General for Asia Pacific and Africa at the ministry, attempts by previous and current ministers have been unsuccessful due to permit limitations.

“For your information, the Indonesian foreign minister has tried several times, but always did not get permission,” Abdul Kadir said at a press conference at the Foreign Affairs Ministry office in Central Jakarta on Monday, July 22, 2024.

He explained that foreigners entering Palestine from the West Bank, including Jerusalem, require permission from Israeli authorities. Moreover, the destruction of Yasser Arafat International Airport in Gaza (formerly Gaza International Airport) during the Second Intifada in 2021 eliminated the option of direct air travel.

Currently, the only feasible routes to Palestine involve flying into Israel or Egypt and then crossing the land border into Gaza or Jerusalem. However, obtaining this "green light" from Israeli authorities remains a major hurdle.

“Certainly, we want to conduct a working visit there but it's not easy. Besides not getting permission, we also wouldn't want to make a request unless it comes from Palestine itself. Unfortunately, Palestine has limited authority in granting such access,” Abdul Kadir added.

L. Amrih Jinangkung, Director General of International Law and Treaties at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, clarified that while they are unable to speak definitively on Minister Marsudi's future travel plans, no visit to Palestine is currently scheduled.

NABIILA AZZAHRA

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