Indonesia Condemns Trump's Recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's Capital
Jakarta. Indonesian President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo on Thursday (07/12) delivered a scathing rebuke, broadcast live on national television, to an announcement by US President Donald Trump that recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel — reversing seven decades of American foreign policy and in defiance of overwhelming global opposition.
Jokowi called on the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the United Nations (UN) to hold emergency meetings to discuss Trump's announcement immediately.
"Indonesia strongly condemns the United States' formal recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. We ask President Trump to reconsider the decision," Jokowi said on Metro TV.
Trump said the US will move its embassy in Israel from its current capital Tel Aviv to Jerusalem as soon as possible.
Jokowi pointed out the new US policy violated several UN resolutions and could "shake up security in the Middle East and the world."
The United States is one of five permanent members of the UN Security Council.
The Indonesian president also reaffirmed Indonesia's support for Palestinian independence.
According to Jokowi, the government of Indonesia acted quickly on the issue by calling up OIC member states to organize an emergency meeting to discuss it.
"We've also made a request to the UN to hold a similar meeting," he added.
The president said he had ordered Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi to summon the US ambassador to Indonesia to convey the Indonesian government's official stance on the issue.
Retno reportedly met US Ambassador to Indonesia Joseph Donovan on Wednesday.
OIC Special Meeting
According to Jokowi, the OIC has agreed to hold a special meeting on this issue on Dec. 13 in Istanbul, Turkey.
Indonesia will consider further steps to respond to the issue after the OIC meeting, he said.
Jokowi said he will also call Trump "after the OIC meeting."
"First thing first, the OIC meeting […] will be on Dec. 13. That will take place in Istanbul," he said.
OIC has 57 members including Indonesia, the world's largest Muslim-majority country.
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