The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued a statement congratulating the adoption of the UN General Assembly resolution on "the Situation in Gaza" that calls for immediate ceasefire, an appeal which was launched by Indonesia in the 10th Emergency Special Session (ESS) on Wednesday, December 11, 2024.

“Indonesia welcomes the adoption of the UNGA Resolution that calls for ceasefire in Gaza. Indonesia also welcomes the adoption of the UNGA Resolution on "Support the mandate of UNRWA" that condemns the adoption of Israeli Knesset law that will ban UNRWA's operation in East Jerusalem,” the Indonesian Foreign Ministry said in its official X account on Thursday, December 12, 2024.

A permanent ceasefire is urgently needed in Gaza and the resumed operation of UNRWA will help save Palestinians from suffering.

Indonesia urges international community to put pressure on Israel to implement the resolutions without delay to ensure a lasting ceasefire, the continuation of humanitarian assistance, and pave the way towards the realization of the Two-State Solution.

In its official website, the United Nations said the General Assembly on December 11, 2024 demanded an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire in Gaza, reiterated its demand for the immediate release of all hostages and demanded that Israel allow the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) to proceed with its aid operations without restriction in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.

Resuming its 10th emergency special session, the 193-member body continued its consideration of “Illegal Israeli actions in occupied East Jerusalem and the rest of the Occupied Palestinian Territory”, adopting by a recorded vote two resolutions on the matter.

By terms of the first text, titled “Demand for ceasefire in Gaza”, adopted with 158 votes in favor to 9 against (Argentina, Czechia, Hungary, Israel, Nauru, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Tonga, United States), with 13 abstentions, the Assembly demanded immediate access by the civilian population in the Gaza Strip to basic humanitarian aid.

Two-State solution

Underscoring that UNRWA remains the backbone of the humanitarian response in Gaza, the Assembly rejected actions that undermine the Agency’s mandate. The Assembly also reiterated its commitment to the vision of a two-State solution, with Gaza part of the Palestinian State, and where two democratic States, Palestine and Israel, live side by side in peace.

The Assembly also adopted a text titled “Support for the mandate of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East” — with 159 votes in favor to 9 against (Argentina, Israel, Federated States of Micronesia, Nauru, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Tonga, United States), with 11 abstentions — calling on the Israeli Government to abide by its international obligations.

At a time of heightened conflict and instability in the Middle East, the Agency continues to play an indispensable role in alleviating the plight for over 6 million Palestine refugees, it stressed, urging immediate efforts to address the agency’s financial and operational crises.