Jakarta’s rejection of a UN Security Council statement condemning the Iranian president for calling for the destruction of Israel is being seen as an attempt to appease domestic critics angered by its earlier decision to back UN sanctions against Tehran. Observers said that Indonesia’s decision to block the United Nations statement condemning President Mahmoud Ahmedinejad was understandable given the domestic political situation and its long-standing support for Palestine in its conflict with Israel.
Indonesia was the only UN Security Council member to reject a draft statement last condemning remarks by President Mahmoud Ahmedinejad calling for Israel’s destruction. Because of Indonesia’s opposition, the Security Council failed to adopt the French-drafted statement, which required consensus by all 15 council members for adoption.
Indonesia said the Security Council’s decision to target President Ahmedinejad’s remarks was unfair because on many occasions and on many issues that directly threatened international peace and security the UN had been silent. It pointed to Israeli’s recent abduction and detention of Palestinian Cabinet and parliament members and the Jewish state’s threat to assassinate Hamas leader Khalid Mishal as examples. Indonesia also said Ahmedinejad’s statement calling for Israel’s destruction was simply “rhetoric”. It also said the draft statement did not reflect what Ahmedinejad actually said, as he called for the destruction of the Zionist regime, not Israel.
UN RESOLUTION AGAINST AHMEDINEJAD FAILS
Jakarta’s rejection of a UN Security Council statement condemning the Iranian president for calling for the destruction of Israel is being seen as an attempt to appease domestic critics angered by its earlier decision to back UN sanctions against Tehran.
