REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) said the ongoing 18th Asian Games 2018 could provide the much needed momentum required for Palestinian unity. Asian Games is being organized by Indonesia in Jakarta and Palembang from August 18 to September 2.

"The games provide a very good momentum that can be used to unite Palestine," Jokowi was quoted as saying by Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi, while receiving Palestine Olympic Committee chairman Jibril Mahmoud Muhammad Rajoub at the Merdeka Palace in Jakarta on Tuesday.

According to the President, Palestinian unity is very important for the Palestinian struggle. Marsudi said the Head of State pointed out that the 2018 Asian Games would be a place to sow the seeds of friendship and peace and could provide new energy to the struggle of the Palestinian people.

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Retno explained that the Palestinian contingent consisted of a mixture of athletes affiliated with the Fatah and Hamas groups. "That is where the Games can ensure differences are set aside," said the foreign minister.

Meanwhile, Rajoub conveyed the hope of President Mahmoud Abbas that Indonesia would continue to assist the Palestinian cause by promoting support for Palestinian independence everywhere. Rajoub also expressed his appreciation to Indonesia for providing support not only in the political sector, but also toward the economy and human resource capacity building.

Rajoub will also meet Minister of Youth and Sports Imam Nahrawi to discuss cooperation between the two countries with regard to youth and sports development. As many as 88 Palestinian athletes taking part in 14 sports will compete at the 2018 Asian Games.

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