The Speaker of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR) Puan Maharani spoke at the inter-parliamentary forum in Istanbul recently and delivered a powerful message about Indonesia’s unwavering support for the Palestinian cause. The forum, organised by the Group of Parliaments in Support of Palestine, gathered lawmakers from around the world to address the escalating crisis in Gaza. Maharani’s words were impassioned, drawing on Indonesia’s historical commitment to Palestinian sovereignty and condemning Israel’s military aggression, which has resulted in countless civilian casualties.

Her statement was delivered in the presence of influential leaders such as Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and expressed a heartfelt condemnation of Israel’s indiscriminate attacks in Gaza. She pointed to the humanitarian catastrophe unfolding in the region, particularly the devastating toll on Palestinian children. Her call for an end to Israeli aggression, including the urgent need for humanitarian aid, was both timely and necessary. Moreover, her plea that the international community take stronger, coordinated action was well-received in the room, as lawmakers nodded in agreement.

However, as much as her words were stirring, they prompted an important question: How much longer can speeches alone be “enough” in the face of such urgent human suffering? As the Speaker of Indonesia’s legislature, one of the most influential political positions in the country, Puan Maharani’s words carry significant weight. Yet, as the death toll in Gaza continues to rise and the humanitarian crisis deepens, the time for mere statements and resolutions has surely run out.

Maharani’s speech was undeniably rooted in a long-standing Indonesian tradition of support for........

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