UN Security Council Unable to Stop Genocide in Gaza: Minister Retno Marsudi

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesian Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudi said the United Nations (UN) Security Council has been unable to stop the genocide taking place in Gaza. She made the statement during the ministry’s annual press statement at Gedung Merdeka, Bandung, on Monday, January 8.

“This building reminds us that there is one debt that we have not paid off, namely, the independence of Palestine,” Retno said as she presented her work record over the past nine years of leadership as the Minister of Foreign Affairs. 

Retno also said that 2023 was a devastating year for the Palestinian people.

Israel's bombardment of Gaza which has killed nearly 23,000 people in the enclave since October 7, 2023, has been ongoing. At least 332 Palestinians have also been killed by Israel in the occupied West Bank since October 7, 2023, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry.

“The UN Security Council has been unable to stop the genocide taking place in Gaza,” she said, referring to the council's failure to pass a comprehensive resolution on the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

The 15-member council has repeatedly failed to pass resolutions as permanent members such as the United States, Russia, and China used their veto rights. Meanwhile, Resolution 2720, which was successfully adopted on December 22, 2023, did not explicitly call for a ceasefire in Gaza. The resolution vote was even delayed for several days to prevent the US from using its veto power.

Minister Retno's choice of words regarding Israel's attacks on Gaza marks the addition of countries accusing Israel of committing genocide against the Palestinian people. Israel has not been officially declared to have committed genocide. 

On December 29, 2023, South Africa filed a lawsuit at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), accusing Israel of committing genocide in Gaza. The trial will take place this week. This action was supported by various parties in the international community including Malaysia, Turkiye, and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).

Retno said the humanitarian crisis in Palestine showed the double standards of some countries in the world, especially the Global North, which is suddenly silent in the face of crimes against humanity. The Global North comprises North America, Western Europe, and developed countries in East Asia, including Japan and South Korea.

Retno Marsudi pledged that Indonesia would continue to fight for Palestine. She also said that she would represent the government at the ICJ on February 19 to give an advisory opinion on the situation in Palestine. 

“I will make an oral statement supporting the Court to give an Advisory Opinion to strengthen Palestine's legal position. The UN must not forget the plight of the Palestinian people, both politically and under international law,” she said.

NABIILA AZZAHRA A.

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