On May 7, 2024, Ambassador Dr. Ezzat Saad, ECFA Director, participated in the virtual event held by the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs on “The Enduring Legacy of the Bandung Spirit: Its Present Significance and Future Relevance”, whereby he particularly addressed the extent to which the Bandung Principles are adequate for achieving coexistence and resolving the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.

In this context, he pointed out that the question of the Israeli occupation of Palestine remains the last case of foreign colonialism, including the deprivation of an entire people of their right to self-determination, in a flagrant violation of the Bandung Principles as embodied in the United Nations Charter, while Israel has, for more than half a century, thwarted most efforts and initiatives aimed at resolving the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.

Ambassador Saad also stressed the fact that the United States contributed to bringing the situation to what it is now, whether due to its absolute support for Israel, militarily and politically, or its keenness to keep this conflict away from any multilateral arrangements, specifically the United Nations. The world has seen how the United States has adhered to its veto in favor of Israel, under the Israeli aggression against Gaza since October 7, 2023, at a critical time when the Palestinian cause is at a crossroads, including the killing of about 35,000 martyrs of unarmed civilians, most of whom are women and children. In fact, the United States’ policy in this protracted conflict has undermined the credibility of the current global order, especially if we consider the United States’ policy regarding other issues.

On the other hand, Ambassador Saad appreciated the consensus of the Non-Aligned Movement, during its conference in January 2024, on the position regarding the ongoing war in Gaza, supporting the establishment of a Palestinian state, the necessity of holding Israel accountable for its violations of international law, and supporting the initiative taken by South Africa to file a complaint before the International Court of Justice. He also commended the Mmovement’s efforts in supporting the Palestinian cause throughout its history, most notably supporting capacity-building programs for 10,000 Palestinians between 2008 and 2013, and the declaration in support of Palestine and its rights, which was issued after a series of meetings hosted by the Indonesian capital, Jakarta, in April 2015, which in turn reflected the spirit of the Bandung Principles.

Ambassador Saad also indicated that a realistic look at the Israeli occupation of Palestine and its extremely negative manifestations undoubtedly attests the existence of a wide gap between the conflict and the chances for resolving it. However, talking about the possibility of reaching a state of peaceful coexistence between the Palestinian and Jewish peoples requires firstly the implementation of international legitimacy resolutions, starting with Resolution 181, and passing through the relevant Security Council resolutions, with the necessity of forming an Israeli government that truly believes in the rules of international law and the principles of peaceful coexistence, cooperation and justice reflected in the ten Bandung principles, as well as the United Nations Charter. In fact, this will be difficult to achieve in the absence of a serious and fair American political will that pushes the Israeli side forward towards finding a genuine political horizon to resolve the conflict, without siding with one party against another.