Jakarta (27/9) – Adara Relief International conducted a Focus Group Discussion (FGD) titled ‘Indonesia’s Strategic and Tactical Steps for Gaza,’ which addressed the ongoing Israeli genocide in Gaza. This FGD was conducted to seek suggestions from stakeholders on reasonable, specific, and concrete actions that could be implemented to put an end to Israel’s genocide in Gaza. The heated debate took place in Nusantara V’s GBHN Room, located in the MPR/DPR RI Building.
“Adara Relief International, as a humanitarian organization for Palestine, felt driven and responsible to hold this FGD today because it has been nearly one year since Israel committed genocide in Gaza, and 70% of the victims are children and women,” explained Maryam Rachmayani, Precident Director of Adara Relief International and the event’s main speaker.
Adara invited cross-disciplinary figures to this FGD to examine viewpoints and develop strategic and tactical initiatives for promoting justice and peace in Palestine. The speakers included government officials, academics, civil society organizations, and Palestinian humanitarian agencies.
The keynote speakers were Dr H. Hidayat Nur Wahid, M.A. (Vice MPR RI), Ir. Maryam Rachmayani Yusuf, S.Th., MM (Head Director of Adara Relief International), Prof. K.H. Din Syamsuddin (Muhammadiyah key figure), Prof. Sudarnoto (Chairman of MUI Foreign Relations Commission), Usman Hamid (Director of Amnesty International Indonesia), and Ahrul Tsani Fathurrahman (Middle East Director of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs).
Hidayat Nur Wahid reiterated that the next administration must bear in mind that Indonesia is bound by the constitution, which specifies that independence is the right of all nations, and that the Constitution’s preamble states that Indonesia supports Palestinian independence. In his concluding remarks, he emphasized that Indonesia is not alone in this endeavor, and that cooperation with ASEAN, the OIC, the Middle East, and the UN can facilitate the pursuit of measures.
The line-up of expert respondents was also filled with equally important figures, including Dr. Muhammad Zaitun Rasmin, L.C., M.A. (Chairman of Wahdah Islamiyah), Prof. Yon Machmudi (Chairman of the Middle East and Islamic Studies Program at the University of Indonesia), Tomy Hendrajati (President General of the Human Initiative), Dr. Sabriati Aziz (Chairman of the Women’s Wing of ARI BP), Agung Nurwijoyo, M.Sc. (Secretary General of MINDA), and Oke Setiadi (Chairman of ASPAC for Palestine).
“Indonesia’s focus is on Palestinian independence, not Israel, because focusing on Israel will result in negotiations that lead to normalization,” said Prof. Yon Machmudi. He also stated that the Indonesian government should appoint a special ambassador to Palestine, tasked with coordinating with relevant parties with the goal of achieving Palestinian independence.
This FGD is part of Adara’s responsibility as a humanitarian organization to encourage communities across the nation to fight for the rights of the Palestinian people by promoting productive discussions to resolve the Palestinian issue.
Responding to the speakers’ suggestions, Ahrul Tsani Fathurrahman stated, “We accept all inputs and will continue to look for ways to deliver aid to Gaza quickly and precisely. The government has set aside special funds to provide aid to Palestine in the form of scholarships, living expenses, and basic food.”
They concluded the FGD by agreeing that the Palestinian issue must be a top priority for both legislative and executive agencies in their first 100 days of operation. The forum urged the administration to focus on security and pursue targeted humanitarian aid. Indonesia may also enhance its global visibility through the UN, strengthening its position in international forums. The recommendations from this discussion can be accessed here.
“We hope that following this FGD, every element of the nation will come together to actively contribute to resolving the Palestinian issue. For far too long, the world has ignored and disappointed Palestine; it is time for Indonesia to mend the Palestinian people’s wounds,” said Fitriyah Nur Fadilah, Head of Adara Relief International’s Research Department and the project’s chief executive.
