JDF Asia Pacific Pushes for Global Sanctions and Boycott Against Israel

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Justice and Democracy Forum (JDF) Asia Pacific is pushing for concrete steps from the international community through boycotts, divestments, and global sanctions against Israel following growing concerns over alleged human rights violations against the Palestinian people. JDF Asia Pacific President Jazuli Juwaini assessed that political condemnations from various countries must be followed up with systematic measures to stop practices deemed violations of international humanitarian law. “Indonesia must take an active initiative in international diplomacy, rallying the world’s nations to pressure and isolate Israel from international circles for every form of colonisation and genocide it carries out,” Jazuli stated firmly in his remarks in Jakarta on Wednesday. JDF Asia Pacific expressed concern over various reports regarding alleged torture and inhumane treatment of Palestinian detainees, as well as recent repressive policies deemed to worsen the humanitarian situation. The organisation also appreciated the stance of eight Muslim-majority countries, namely Indonesia, Pakistan, Turkey, Egypt, Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates, which collectively condemned Israel’s policies on the death penalty for Palestinians. According to JDF, this condemnation reflects growing global awareness but must be followed by concrete actions through the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement. The advocated efforts include halting economic, military, and technological cooperation, withdrawing investments from entities involved in colonisation practices, and imposing international sanctions for human rights violations and humanitarian law breaches. Additionally, JDF Asia Pacific called for severing diplomatic relations with Israel until the practices of violence and alleged violations against the Palestinian people are stopped. The organisation views Indonesia as having a strategic position to lead the consolidation of Global South countries and the Islamic world, including through strengthening diplomacy in international forums such as the United Nations. JDF also invited the international community, civil society organisations, and individuals to strengthen global solidarity to promote accountability and protection of Palestinian rights.