TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesian Foreign Minister Sugiono emphasized Indonesia's rejection of Israel's occupation of Palestine. Sugiono's statement was expressed as an advisory opinion or legal opinion at the request of the United Nations General Assembly during the session of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague, Netherlands, on Wednesday, April 30, 2025.
"I emphasize that many countries, including Indonesia, clearly state that no country is above the law," said Sugiono when delivering his statement before the ICJ judges.
On the same occasion, Sugiono also pointed out Israel's occupation of Palestine. He judged that Israel had violated international law.
"Consistently, Israel has imposed various policies and actions in the occupied Palestinian territory with a flagrant disregard for international law," he said.
For example, Sugiono also addressed various violations of international law by Israel, including the closure of humanitarian aid access, the destruction of civilian facilities, and the forced expulsion of Gazans. Sugiono assessed that this series of violations not only contravenes international humanitarian law but also weakens the integrity of the global legal system.
According to Sugiono, Israel has rejected its legal obligations as a member of the UN. Sugiono stated that Israel's actions have damaged the basic principles of the UN Charter and the Geneva Conventions.
"This situation is not just a moral issue; it is a blatant violation of international law," he added.
Furthermore, Sugiono also highlighted the Israeli attack on the Indonesian Hospital in Gaza in 2023. He stated that hospitals, medical personnel, and patients must be protected during war, as stipulated in the Geneva Conventions.
He also urged Israel to facilitate humanitarian assistance, including opening access in Rafah. He lamented the power outages, aid blockades, and restrictions on access to water and medicine that only exacerbate the suffering of civilians.
"In reality, Israel enforces a policy of collective punishment that violates the law. This is not only illegal but also inhumane," he said.
Sugiono also discussed the issuance of the Palestinian people's right to self-determination, as affirmed by the ICJ in the 2004 legal opinion and reinforced in the 2024 opinion.
Sugiono regretted that the reality shows the opposite, such as the systematic destruction of infrastructure, mass expulsion, and the systematic erasure of living space for Palestinians.
"The Palestinian people continue to be hindered from exercising their basic rights as a nation. Yet, the right to self-determination is a fundamental principle in modern international law," he said.
Sugiono called on the ICJ to make the supremacy of international law the basis for ending this prolonged suffering.
"Indonesia believes that the court's decision will be an important guide for the UN General Assembly and its member states in upholding justice for the oppressed Palestinians," he concluded.
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