By Iqbal Musyaffa
JAKARTA (AA) – Indonesian president has reiterated his country’s opposition to Israel’s plan to annex parts of occupied West Bank during a phone call with his Palestinian counterpart.
Speaking at a virtual news conference on Thursday, Achmad Rizal Purnama, the director of Middle East Department at the Indonesian Foreign Ministry, said: "President [Mahmoud] Abbas specifically requested a direct conversation with President Joko Widodo to inform the latest situation in Palestine after the announcement of the Israeli annexation plan was delayed."
During a phone talk held on Tuesday, the Indonesian president said his country strongly rejects the annexation plan because it is considered illegal under international law.
"Indonesia rejected the plan to move the embassies of several countries from Israel to Jerusalem," he added.
Abbas, for his part, also appreciated Indonesia's commitment in supporting the Palestinian cause, according to Rizal.
The two leaders discussed the reconciliation process between Fatah and Hamas factions in Palestine.
"Palestine is ready to continue the negotiation process to resolve the conflict with Israel within a multilateral framework and President Abbas personally asked Indonesia’s support for the process," said Rizal.
Abbas also spoke about humanitarian crisis faced by Palestine amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Indonesian president promised that his country will also provide an assistance fund of $1 million to help Palestine handle the crisis.
The fund will be distributed either directly to the Palestinian government or through the International Committee of the Red Cross.
*Writing by Maria Elisa Hospita from Anadolu Agency's Indonesian-language service in Jakarta.
