The killing of three Indonesian soldiers serving with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) is a tragedy and a violation of international law. As one of the world’s most populous countries with a diverse culture and significant economic development, Indonesia participates in a variety of international efforts to promote global peace. The attack on Indonesian soldiers is a serious infringement of international law and a clear violation of their role as neutral peacekeepers. Their deaths at the hands of Israel are inexcusable and should be strongly condemned as inconsistent with its obligations under the UN Charter and its role as a member of the international community bound by international humanitarian law.

UNIFIL is tasked with monitoring a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, and also assisting the Lebanese Armed Forces. Personnel are covered by international humanitarian law. Attacks on peacekeepers are serious breaches, and those responsible must be brought to account. The protection of peacekeepers is an absolute principle and should not be a matter of politics; to allow exceptions is to invite illegitimacy in the conduct of peacekeeping.

Israel – as a UN member and a country bound by humanitarian law – must ensure its military respects the protections due to UN personnel. The deaths of those Indonesian soldiers are not simply “collateral damage”. We have a responsibility to speak out and ensure that actions such as these are not routinely ignored and become legitimate under humanitarian law.

The attack on the UN peacekeeping convoy in Indonesia may be remembered as a heart-wrenching incident that claimed the lives of at least........

© Eurasia Review