UNS — International Relations Program (HI) Faculty of Social and Political Sciences (FISIP) and Arabic Language and Literature Program Faculty of Cultural Studies (FIB) Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS) Surakarta held a national seminar on the conflict between Israel and Palestine on Thursday (27/5/2021). This seminar was held online through the Zoom Cloud Meeting application and live stream on the UNS YouTube channel.
As the safeguard and initiator of the Pancasila campus, UNS wants to contribute to achieving peace in the Israel – Palestine conflict. This National Seminar is a means for researchers to share their thoughts and finding a solution for the conflict. Under the theme of ‘Peace for Humanity to Achieve a Solution for Israel-Palestina Conflict After Ceasefire,’ the seminar invited the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia, Retno L. P Marsudi. Abdul Wahid Maktub, Indonesia Ambassador for Qatar in 2003 – 2007 represented the Minister in the national seminar.
The Rector of UNS, Prof. Jamal Wiwoho, attended the event and delivered an opening remark to open the seminar. Professor Istadiyantha, professor in Middle East study UNS; Meutya Hafid the Chief of Commission I DPR RI; and Salieg Luki Munestri, S.S., M.A, a faculty member HI Program FISIP UNS, attended the event as the speakers. Two hundred and forty participants attended the event and showed their enthusiasm.
Prof. Jamal stated that the Israel Palestine conflict always gets media attention and seems never to cease. This conflict always heats the political constellation in the middle east and involves more countries that pay close attention to the development, including Indonesia, which tries to achieve peace for both countries. “Seeing the conflict in the last few days is like watching old war movies that are repeated. Both countries are often in conflict with similar issues and caused many fatalities,” Prof. Jamal said. He added that both countries should work on peace as advanced and civilized countries. Prof. Jamal added that Indonesia fully supports a friendly and peaceful approach for humanities.
The Chief of Commission I DPR RI stated that the center of the conflict is colonialism with more than seven decades. Israel is placed as the colonizer and Palestine as the colonialized. Even though the diplomatic efforts have brought the cease-fire with Egypt as the mediator, Meutya Hafid thinks that peace is a long process for both countries. She added that as the part of DPR that manages the international affairs, including defense, intelligence, communication, and informatics, her commission will always ensure that Indonesia takes diplomatic efforts “as a commitment to help Palestine,” she said.
Indonesia’s support toward Palestine’s independence is in line with Indonesia’s constitution mandate that Indonesia’s international relationship should be based on peace and justice. Commission I DPR RI hopes that there will be a reconciliation of factions in Palestine between Fatah and Hamas. The commission also encourages Palestine to form United National Government to maintain the cease-fire. “Fatah and Hamas should be encouraged, and Indonesia has the power, the vital role in making a dialogue with both parties,” Meutya Hafid concluded. Humas UNS
Reporter: Alinda Hardiantoro
Editor: Dwi Hastuti
