Jakarta (ANTARA) - Coordinating Minister for Law, Human Rights, Immigration, and Corrections Yusril Ihza Mahendra said the Indonesian government will soon issue new visas for Palestinian students who receive scholarships from Indonesia to continue their studies.
"We will soon provide new visas or extend the visas that have been provided to them," he said as confirmed here on Saturday.
The statement was conveyed in response to the report of the Palestinian Ambassador to Indonesia Zuhair Al-Shun during a meeting in Jakarta on Wednesday (February 26) regarding the conditions of dozens of Palestinian students who receive scholarships from the Indonesian government.
It was said that their visas had expired and needed to be extended. They previously could not leave Palestine due to the conflict situation.
At the meeting, Mahendra asked about the diplomatic efforts that have been made to respond to the current changes in the world's political map, which must be used by Palestine to strengthen their position.
He also emphasized the stance of the Indonesian government which has been supporting the independence of Palestine since 1948.
He expressed hope that Palestine can pursue diplomatic efforts with Arab countries so that they can have the same view in supporting an independent Palestine.
The minister also spoke about the Indonesian Hospital in Gaza which can no longer operate due to Israel's brutal attacks.
The Medical Emergency Rescue Committee (MER-C), the institution that built the hospital with donations from Indonesian people, had met Mahendra and asked for facilitation from the Indonesian government to restore the hospital.
"However, up until today, there is no certainty because the situation is still highly unfavorable in Gaza," he remarked.
On the same occasion, Ambassador Zuhair Al-Shun expressed gratitude for the consistent support from the Indonesian people and government for Palestine's independence.
According to him, the current situation in Gaza still needs to receive International attention and assistance, adding that hundreds of thousands of Palestinians in the enclave are homeless, and lack access to food and health facilities.
