Defence Minister Prabowo Subianto has offered scholarships to Palestinian students to pursue their studies at the Indonesia Defence University (Unhan) as a form of concrete support and solidarity for the Palestinian cause.
“This is our concrete support to help prepare the future of the Palestinian nation. We believe that the Palestinian people will eventually reach their ultimate goal,” Subianto said while receiving a visit from Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammed Ibrahim Shtayyeh here on Wednesday.
Palestinian students can enroll for various study programs offered by the university, the minister said, adding that boarding senior high schools and other military schools have also kept their doors open for Palestinians.
“Scholarships at the Unhan include access to study medicine, pharmacy, mathematics, physics, biology, informatics, and engineering,” he noted.
Indonesia’s arduous path in fighting colonialism to achieve independence in the past has encouraged the country to continue supporting the Palestinians, he added.
“Hence, the Indonesian people will remain at the side of the Palestinians and will also pray for them,” Subianto remarked.
Meanwhile, Shtayyeh expressed his gratitude to the Indonesian government’s warm welcome on his first state visit as prime minister. He also commended Indonesia’s continued commitment to Palestine and world peace.
“I enjoy the meeting with Defence Minister Prabowo Subianto, who also treated us to breakfast. We are also being warmly welcomed by President Joko Widodo,” he said.
He added that representatives of Palestinian entrepreneurs in his entourage also met their Indonesian counterparts to discuss business opportunities.
Earlier on Tuesday, Shtayyeh lauded Indonesia’s stance in the Israel-Palestinian conflict as it has always stood on the Palestinian side.
According to him, Indonesia has always remained committed to supporting the Palestinian people to achieve independence as a sovereign state according to the pre-1967 border.
The main issue in the Israel-Palestinian conflict is not mediation but the refusal of the Israeli side to end their illegal occupation of Palestinian lands, Shtayyeh said.
Source: Antara News