REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Deputy Chairman of the Indonesian Inter-Parliamentary Cooperation Board Rofi 'Munawar has urged the Asian Parliament to unite against US President Donald Trump's controversial policy regarding Jerusalem. According to a statement received by Antara here on Monday, Munawar made the statement on the sidelines of the 138th General Session of Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) in Geneva, Switzerland, held on March 24-28, 2018.

"Four emergency resolutions related to Jerusalem have been filed by the Parliaments of Palestine, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Turkey. I submit the four proposals in one package. I also urge the Asian Parliament to adopt a common stance on Trump's controversial policy," the politician noted.

Furthermore, Munawar, who is also a member of Commission VII of the Indonesian House, called for formulating a strategy for the resolution of Jerusalem that could be adopted by the IPU.

"Indonesia urges the Asian Parliament to formulate a joint and mutual resolution. I emphasize that the resolution draft should reassure that the issue of Jerusalem is a common problem and not just one related to Arabs. If this draft will be voted, at least the Asian countries will take a solid stance and finally the draft will be adopted," Munawar remarked.

He explained that the IPU's emergency resolutions would be adopted through an open vote on Sunday (Mar 25).

Munawar believes that Trump's policy of recognizing Jerusalem as the capital of Israel will have a significant impact.

First, the policy clearly violates several UN resolutions, especially those relating to the legal status of Jerusalem. Secondly, Jerusalem is not only a holy city for Jews but there are also several Islamic and Christian sites there that demonstrate the existence of the religions both ideologically and historically. Thirdly, Trump's policy will trigger prolonged conflicts and have wide-ranging impacts.

"That is why the policy must be rejected," he stressed.

Munawar also asserted that the Palestinian issue is the constitutional mandate of the Republic of Indonesia.

"Indonesia has an interest in rejecting the policy since it is part of the constitutional mandate," he stressed.

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