Indonesia reaffirms commitment to support Palestine

Jakarta, September 26 (ANTARA) - Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto reaffirmed the Indonesian government's support for the Palestinian cause to the Chief of Palestinian Civil Police, Major General Yousef al-Helou, during his visit to Jakarta on Tuesday.

"Next month, Indonesia will receive some students from Palestine that get scholarships. The Indonesian government gives (scholarship) to them to study at the Defense University (Unhan) in Indonesia," Subianto remarked after the meeting.

The minister affirmed that Indonesia's support for Palestine is not only in advocacies in international forums but also in the education sector.

He noted that the Palestinian students, who receive the Indonesian government's scholarships, will study undergraduate programs in medicine, civil engineering, electrical engineering, pharmacy, mathematics, chemistry, and biology.

During the meeting with al-Helou, Subianto conveyed President Joko Widodo's directive to find new ways to support Palestine.

"Mr. President has instructed me to look for other ways (to support Palestine). We can help with humanitarian aid, education, and so on," he stated.

The Indonesian government's scholarship program for Palestinian students started in mid-2023, marked by the signing of a cooperation framework between the Palestinian Embassy in Indonesia and the Defense University on June 19, 2023, in Jakarta.

Minister Subianto also witnessed the inking of the cooperation framework.

"This is a full (scholarship), including living expenses. I will check the exact (scholarship) value (funding). (They) will join our program according to our curriculum, with the standards we have set," he remarked.

Some 22 Palestinian students are in the first phase of the program. They will pursue undergraduate studies at the Defense University.

"This is very important for the future of Palestine, and we are very honored to be part of the Palestinian struggle for freedom," Subianto remarked.

Since the start of independence, Indonesia has consistently supported the struggle of the Palestinian people for full independence, especially from all forms of Israeli occupation and aggression.