ASIATODAY.ID, JAKARTA – The President of the Republic of Indonesia, Joko Widodo (Jokowi) emphasized that Indonesian ports are closed to Israeli ships. This is a form of Indonesian solidarity with Palestine.
President Jokowi’s firm stance was in response to news that an Israeli merchant ship would arrive at an Indonesian port. According to Jokowi, Indonesia, which is an archipelagic country, is committed to prohibiting the entry of Israeli ships.
“I emphasize that Indonesian ports will not be used for Israeli interests,” stressed Jokowi in a recorded press statement, Friday, January 27 2024.
News of the Israeli ship in Indonesia spread when Erlangga Greschinov, an Indonesian social media influencer who is known to be pro-Palestinian, uploaded a letter addressed to the Indonesian Ministry of Transportation earlier this year. Greschinov said that the Israeli merchant ship ZIM Trade was scheduled to arrive at four Indonesian docks, namely in Jakarta, Belawan, Semarang and Surabaya.
Transportation Ministry spokesperson Adita Irawati said the government immediately checked the veracity of the information following Greschinov’s letter. According to him, no Israeli-flagged ships have ever entered Indonesia since the conflict with Hamas flared up. Including non-Israeli merchant ships sailing between Indonesia and Israel.
Netanyahu’s Statement Is Unacceptable
Jokowi also strongly rejected Israeli Prime Minister (PM) Benyamin Netanyahu’s statement that there was no future for a two-state solution between Israel and Palestine.
“I strongly oppose Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu’s statement regarding the absence of a future for a two-state solution. This statement is completely unacceptable,” stressed Jokowi.
Jokowi’s statement was made shortly after Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi attended the UN Security Council debate on the Gaza conflict. Minister Retno earlier this week made headlines for leaving the room when Israeli diplomat Gilad Erdan delivered his speech at the UN Security Council. (AT Network)
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