Indonesian parliament condemns plan to relocate US Embassy

Deputy House Speaker Taufik Kurniawan has strongly condemned a plan by US President Donald Trump to relocate the US embassy to Jerusalem, as it could jeopardize peace process and trigger conflicts in the Middle East.

The US' policy could disturb world peace, as it has already triggered strong reactions from Gulf countries, Palestine, and several European countries that did not want a new chaos in Jerusalem, he said here on Thursday.

The House of Representatives (DPR) has supported the Indonesian Government for strongly opposing Trump's move on Jerusalem and asking the US Government to reconsider the decision, Kurniawan, deputy chairman of the National Mandate Party (PAN), noted.

DPR will fight to oppose the US' move in international and regional parliamentarian fora, he added.

In 1945 Palestine was among the first few countries that admitted Indonesia's independence. 

Meanwhile, President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) has voiced Indonesia's strong condemnation over the unilateral recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital by the US and has called for a UN meeting on the matter.

The US should reconsider the decision, as it has violated various resolutions issued by the UN Security Council and General Assembly, Jokowi noted here on Thursday. "This could disrupt world peace and stability," he added.

The Indonesian government has communicated with several member countries of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).

According to the head of state, Indonesia has urged the OIC to hold a special meeting to discuss the unilateral move announced by Trump on Wednesday.

Jokowi reaffirmed that he and the Indonesian people would remain consistent with regard to the support for the Palestinians in the struggle for independence and fulfillment of their rights, which are in line with the Preamble of Indonesia's 1945 Constitution.

The president revealed that he has urged Foreign Minister, Retno Marsudi, to call the US ambassador to Indonesia, Joseph Donovan, to convey Indonesia's stance.

Marsudi earlier remarked that Indonesia had condemned the US announcement. "We condemn this recognition. Democracy means respecting international laws. Thus, the recognition disrespects various resolutions of the UN Security Council," she pointed out

Source: ANTARA