Foreign Minister: ISF Deputy Commander Appointment Unrelated to Israeli Diplomacy
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Foreign Minister Sugiono has stated that Indonesia's appointment as Deputy Commander of the International Stabilisation Force (ISF) is unrelated to any recognition of diplomatic relations with Israel.
Sugiono's statement was intended to dispel concerns that the deployment of thousands of troops to the Gaza Strip in Palestine posed risks, given that Indonesia currently has no diplomatic ties with Israel.
"This has nothing to do with recognising whether there is a relationship or not. This is a force tasked with a mandate to maintain peace, comprising various elements whose core duty is to maintain the situation," Sugiono said during a press briefing in Washington DC on Friday evening (20/2) local time.
According to the Foreign Minister, member states of the Board of Peace (BoP) involved in the ISF have received mandates to deploy troops to maintain security in Palestine.
In carrying out the ISF mandate, each participating country has the opportunity to submit limitations on troop deployment, known as a national caveat.
Indonesia has already communicated its limitations to the ISF, namely that it will not conduct military operations or disarmament and demilitarisation activities.
"What we will do is protect civilians on both sides, participate in humanitarian efforts there, and of course there are matters relating to rules of engagement that we can undertake as a force if we are attacked, in the context of self-defence," Sugiono said.
Indonesia, having accepted the appointment as ISF Deputy Commander, also plays an operational role as one of the countries deploying the largest number of troops for the peacekeeping mission in Palestine.
The appointment also serves as recognition of the Indonesian military's strong reputation in peacekeeping.
"Because Indonesian forces are also among the largest contingent there, the deputy commander of operations position is also a mark of honour and recognition of Indonesia's track record, as well as the reputation of Indonesian soldiers across various peacekeeping theatres," Sugiono said.
During the inaugural Board of Peace meeting held at the Donald J. Trump Institute of Peace in Washington DC on Thursday morning (19/2) local time, President Prabowo Subianto reaffirmed Indonesia's readiness to deploy 8,000 military personnel to serve with the ISF in Gaza, Palestine.
"The ceasefire in Gaza is a tangible achievement. We commend this achievement, and to that end, we reaffirm our commitment to contributing a significant number of our troops — 8,000, and potentially more if needed," President Prabowo said during the Board of Peace summit.
Meanwhile, ISF Commander Major General Jasper Jeffers, from the United States Armed Forces, stated that projections indicate 20,000 soldiers and 12,000 police officers will eventually serve with the ISF to restore the post-war situation in Gaza.
Major General Jeffers indicated that Rafah, located in southern Gaza and bordering Egypt, would be the ISF's first destination.
Sugiono's statement was intended to dispel concerns that the deployment of thousands of troops to the Gaza Strip in Palestine posed risks, given that Indonesia currently has no diplomatic ties with Israel.
"This has nothing to do with recognising whether there is a relationship or not. This is a force tasked with a mandate to maintain peace, comprising various elements whose core duty is to maintain the situation," Sugiono said during a press briefing in Washington DC on Friday evening (20/2) local time.
According to the Foreign Minister, member states of the Board of Peace (BoP) involved in the ISF have received mandates to deploy troops to maintain security in Palestine.
In carrying out the ISF mandate, each participating country has the opportunity to submit limitations on troop deployment, known as a national caveat.
Indonesia has already communicated its limitations to the ISF, namely that it will not conduct military operations or disarmament and demilitarisation activities.
"What we will do is protect civilians on both sides, participate in humanitarian efforts there, and of course there are matters relating to rules of engagement that we can undertake as a force if we are attacked, in the context of self-defence," Sugiono said.
Indonesia, having accepted the appointment as ISF Deputy Commander, also plays an operational role as one of the countries deploying the largest number of troops for the peacekeeping mission in Palestine.
The appointment also serves as recognition of the Indonesian military's strong reputation in peacekeeping.
"Because Indonesian forces are also among the largest contingent there, the deputy commander of operations position is also a mark of honour and recognition of Indonesia's track record, as well as the reputation of Indonesian soldiers across various peacekeeping theatres," Sugiono said.
During the inaugural Board of Peace meeting held at the Donald J. Trump Institute of Peace in Washington DC on Thursday morning (19/2) local time, President Prabowo Subianto reaffirmed Indonesia's readiness to deploy 8,000 military personnel to serve with the ISF in Gaza, Palestine.
"The ceasefire in Gaza is a tangible achievement. We commend this achievement, and to that end, we reaffirm our commitment to contributing a significant number of our troops — 8,000, and potentially more if needed," President Prabowo said during the Board of Peace summit.
Meanwhile, ISF Commander Major General Jasper Jeffers, from the United States Armed Forces, stated that projections indicate 20,000 soldiers and 12,000 police officers will eventually serve with the ISF to restore the post-war situation in Gaza.
Major General Jeffers indicated that Rafah, located in southern Gaza and bordering Egypt, would be the ISF's first destination.