Root Cause of Middle East Instability is Palestine Issue, Says Indonesian Minister

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi called on parties involved in the Middle East conflict to exercise restraint and promptly de-escalate. She assessed that the Palestine issue is the main cause of instability in the region.

During a joint press conference with her Chinese counterpart Wang Yi after a bilateral meeting in Jakarta on April 18, Retno stated that the visit was made in the wake of global concern over the escalating situation in the Middle East. 

“We share the same view on the importance of restraint by all parties and the significance of de-escalation,” she remarked.

Retno told Wang of the diplomatic efforts that Indonesia has undertaken so far regarding Palestine and the Middle East. Speaking to reporters, she hoped that China would leverage its influence to prevent escalation in the region.

“We also share the same view on the importance of a ceasefire in Gaza and the just resolution of the Palestinian problem through a two-state solution,” she added.

Retno and Wang highlighted that Indonesia and China have pledged support for Palestine's full membership in the UN. She believed that resolving the Palestinian issue is essential to achieving stability in the Middle East.

“Don't forget that the root cause of instability in the Middle East is the Palestine issue. Therefore, it is imperative for the world to resolve the issues fairly based on a two-state solution as soon as possible,” she concluded.

NABIILA AZZAHRA A.

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