Statement by
H.E. Mr. Rezlan Ishar Jenie
Charge d’ Affaires a.i. / Deputy Permanent Representative
Republic of Indonesia
before the Security Council
on the Situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian Question.

New York, 14 October 2003

Mr. President,

At the outset, let me express the appreciation of my delegation to you for convening this important meeting in addressing the alarming situation in the Middle East, particularly in the Occupied Palestinian territories.

Mr. President,

Indonesia is gravely concerned about Israel’s continuing territorial expansion through its illegal construction of settlements, outposts and road network, and the accompanying demolition of Palestinian homes and property. This ongoing process has undoubtedly changed the status quo.

This situation has further worsened with the illegal wall construction in the West Bank and other areas by the Israeli Government. The wall construction not only amounts to the illegal confiscation of Palestinian land, but also impoverishes the affected Palestinian communities. Indeed, the construction of the wall further disrupts the delivery of basic social services, thereby making life even more difficult for the Palestinians in those areas.

The latest report of the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People has noted that the construction of the wall is located as deep as six kilometers inside the West Bank and vast areas of lands is bulldozed and seized. Indeed, the completed construction has resulted in the unlawful confiscation of 2,850 acres of high-income Palestinian land, and the process goes on. We cannot let this continue, because the main objective of this policy is very obvious, namely to erode the capability of Palestine to survive as an independent state in the future.

Mr. President,

Needless to say, Israel’s construction of the wall is capable of derailing the Middle East peace process, plunging the region into a deeper cycle of violence, and threatening the Road Map. As my delegation has continued to maintain, the Road Map presently represents the most viable vehicle for a solution to the challenge of peace between the Palestinians and the Israelis, and the actualization of an independent Palestinian state by 2005. Thus, these Israeli policies must cease and be reversed immediately.

Finally, Indonesia shares the views of other countries of the Arab Group, the Organization of Islamic Countries as well as the Non-Aligned Movement in condemning Israel’s ill-considered policies including wall construction and the continuing resettlement plan. Such activities are illegal under relevant provisions of international law. My delegation is also of the view that the proposed draft resolution on the situation in Middle East is not only timely, but also necessary towards achieving a comprehensive solution of the conflict. Given this situation, and the fact that the draft resolution is balanced, Indonesia calls for its adoption by the Security Council.

I thank you Mr. President.