Indonesia Condemns US' Recognition of Jerusalem as Capital of Israel
Across the world, leaders express criticism on US President Donald Trump's decision to officially recognize Jerusalem as the capital city of Israel. Moreover, Trump announced that the American embassy is to be relocated from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. While Trump claims that these decisions constitute a step to advance the peace process and emphasizes that the US will continue to facilitate the peace process between both sides, fierce criticism unleashed following Trump's statements.
Various Indonesian politicians were heard criticizing Trump's move on Thursday (07/12). Most notably, Indonesia President Joko Widodo, in a televised speech, said the nation strongly condemns the US' formal recognition of Jerusalem as the capital city of Israel and urges Trump to reconsider his decision as the decision not only reverses about seven decades of US foreign policy and unleashes overwhelming global criticism but it also violates several UN resolutions and could likely trigger political and religious turmoil in the Middle East as well as in the world. Widodo also reaffirmed Indonesia's support for Palestinian independence.
Earlier Indonesian Vice President Jusuf Kalla said Indonesia rejects Trump's decision as it would make Middle Eastern politics more complex. Kalla was quoted saying (by local news network MetroTV) that Indonesia, the world's largest Muslim country, "would always be on Palestine's side".
Meanwhile, Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi said democracy means respecting international law. Trump's latest moves, however, go against various United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions.
After Trump's announcement on Wednesday (06/12) Indonesia immediately called on the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the United Nations (UN) to hold emergency meetings. An OIC meeting is scheduled to be held on 13 December in Istanbul (Turkey). Widodo also plans to have a telephone conversation with Trump after the OIC meeting has been concluded.
Trump defended his decision by saying the US cannot solve problems by making the same failed assumptions and repeating the same failed strategies of the past 70 years.
The US is now set to become the only nation in the world to move its embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. While Israel celebrates the move (and Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu calls it "a historic day"), Palestinians are furious and emphasize that there can only be a peace deal if east Jerusalem becomes recognized as the capital of the independent Palestinian state (although there remains the possibility of the establishment of a two-state solution, meaning Jerusalem would become capital of both Israel and an independent Palestine).