Jokowi, Xi Jinping Call For De-escalation in Palestine-Israel Situation

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo and Chinese leader Xi Jinping exchanged views on the situation in Gaza during the meeting in Beijing on Tuesday, October 17, 2023. Both leaders highlighted the importance of de-escalation of the situation caused by Israel in retaliation to Hamas.

"Indonesia and China share the same vision that focuses on the humanitarian issue," wrote the press release shared by the Presidential Press Bureau about the meeting between Jokowi and Xi Jinping.

Israel declared war against Hamas on October 8, 2023, after the resistant group crossed the heavily guarded border into Israel. Hamas is accused of gunning, burning, and causing more than 1,400 killed in Israel.

Israel's retaliatory airstrikes have killed at least 2,800 people in Gaza, according to Palestinian authorities.

This week, China will be among the countries trying to de-escalate the situation in Israel and Palestine by sending its special envoys to the Middle East. This measure was taken after the US asked Beijing to wield its influence to stop the conflict from spreading.

Washington stated that it hopes China's friendship with Hamas' supporter Iran will help to de-escalate the conflict, especially after Beijing became the middleman between Iran and Saudi Arabia at the beginning of this year. 

Iran has warned about "preventive measures" against Israel earlier, responding to its preparation for the ground force in the Gaza Strip.

Meanwhile, Jokowi urged that the immediate violence must be halted to avoid more human casualties and property damage. "The root cause of this conflict, which is Israel's occupation of Palestinian territory must be resolved in accordance with the parameter agreed by the UN," he said in a press release on Tuesday, October 10, 2023.

DANIEL A. FAJRI

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