UI Palestine Centre Affirms Commitment to Palestinian Solidarity and Independence
The UI Palestine Centre, a study unit under the Directorate of Community Service and Social Innovation at the University of Indonesia (UI), has affirmed its commitment to strengthening the issue of Palestinian independence. The commitment was realised through a Book Discussion and Exhibition titled ‘Towards Palestinian Liberation: Anti-Colonialism Solidarity from Indonesia for Palestine’ at the Mochtar Riady Building, FISIP UI, Depok Campus, on Wednesday (19/8/2026).
The event was held in collaboration with the Southern Solidarity Cluster of the Department of International Relations at FISIP UI, the Transnational Institute, KontraS, Republika, BDS Indonesia, and several other civil society organisations.
The event was opened by the Vice Rector for Research, Innovation, Students, and Alumni of UI, Professor Hamdi Muluk. He affirmed that the presence of the UI Palestine Centre represents UI’s institutional commitment to the Palestinian issue.
‘The presence of the UI Palestine Centre demonstrates a commitment to providing a space that enables the academic community and the wider public to continue learning, discussing, conducting studies, and building solidarity with Palestine through academic, humanitarian, and collaborative approaches,’ said Hamdi.
According to him, the Palestinian issue is not merely a conflict taking place far from Indonesia. It is a matter of humanity, justice, and the right to self-determination, in line with the mandate of the Preamble to the 1945 Constitution.
‘…Independence is the right of all nations, and therefore colonialism above the world must be abolished,’ he said.
The UI Palestine Centre carries the vision of becoming a leading centre for Palestine studies in Indonesia and Southeast Asia. The study centre is directed to produce evidence-based research to support the struggle for independence, sovereignty, and justice for the Palestinian people.
To realise this vision, the UI Palestine Centre carries out a number of missions. Among them, conducting cross-disciplinary research on the Israeli occupation of Palestine from political, international law, historical, social, and economic perspectives, and disseminating research findings to various stakeholders.
These steps are expected to contribute to shaping scientifically based policies and public opinion. In addition, the UI Palestine Centre builds collaborative networks with international research institutions and humanitarian organisations, and conducts data-based advocacy to support Indonesian diplomacy in international forums.
The Chair of the Southern Solidarity Cluster of the Department of International Relations at FISIP UI and initiator of the event, Dr Asra Virgianita, affirmed that support for Palestine is a cross-border issue requiring collective strength. According to her, academics have an important role in building such solidarity.
‘Academics can move not only within academic spaces, but also together with various stakeholders at local, national, and global levels to champion Palestinian independence as a necessity grounded in knowledge and scholarship,’ she said.
As a newly established study unit within UI, the UI Palestine Centre made the event one of its initial steps to strengthen knowledge networks and solidarity across academics, students, civil society organisations, and the public. The event also affirmed Indonesia’s commitment to continue supporting the Palestinian people’s struggle to achieve independence.