April 12, 2025 | 03:53 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Prabowo Subianto has addressed concerns regarding the proposed evacuation of one thousand refugees from Gaza to Indonesia, emphasizing that this initiative is a temporary humanitarian endeavor and not a permanent relocation, as some reports have suggested.
"Oh no, not a relocation. It's to help," Prabowo said at the Antalya Diplomacy Forum in Turkey on Friday, April 11, 2025, as quoted from his official remarks available on the Presidential Secretariat's YouTube channel.
Prabowo explained that the evacuation plan represents an offer from the Indonesian government to provide assistance during the ongoing humanitarian crisis affecting the Palestinian people in Gaza. He also noted that the evacuation plan is contingent upon the approval of all relevant parties.
"Later, I will meet with the leaders of Palestine to discuss the implementation," Prabowo added.
Foreign Minister Sugiono also refuted claims that the Indonesian government intends to relocate residents of Gaza permanently. He clarified President Prabowo's statement regarding the evacuation of injured Palestinian citizens, stressing that the primary aim is to provide a safe environment for vulnerable individuals, particularly children and pregnant women. He underscored that this action is a humanitarian gesture and not a form of relocation.
Sugiono elaborated that the refugees are expected to return to Gaza once the situation improves. "This does not mean that we want to relocate Gaza residents, no, not at all. This is an expression of our concern and humanity towards the situation there, and that is why we want to help. We express our willingness to assist in these matters," Sugiono affirmed on Friday, April 11, 2025.
He further mentioned that the evacuation plan requires the approval of several countries with a vested interest in the Israeli-Palestinian peace process. Consequently, President Prabowo will present the proposal to evacuate Gaza residents during his upcoming visits to various Middle Eastern nations, where he intends to consult on efforts to provide aid to the Palestinian people.
However, the proposed evacuation plan has faced opposition, notably from the Vice Chair of the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI), Anwar Abbas. Anwar deemed the plan to move Palestinian residents out of Gaza as an idea previously supported by the former U.S. President, Donald Trump, and Israel.
"The question is, why is Indonesia joining in supporting the plans of Israel and America?" Anwar questioned in his written statement on Wednesday, April 9, 2025.
He suggested that Israel and the U.S. desire to depopulate Gaza to facilitate Israel's occupation and control of the territory, ultimately allowing Israel to relocate its own citizens to the occupied Gaza Strip.
Anwar expressed concern that, over time, Gaza could potentially become part of a "Greater Israel," aligning with the aspirations of the U.S. and Israel. He drew a parallel to the situation in Jerusalem, stating, "In the past, Jerusalem was controlled by the Palestinian people. Now the city has been occupied by Israel."
Anwar also reiterated Israel's claim that Jerusalem serves as its capital.
Hendrik Yaputra and Savero Aristia Wienanto contributed to the writing of this article.
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