Jakarta. Indonesian delegates recently walked out of the UN hall just as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was about to begin his speech.

Netanyahu and many other world leaders are taking turns to speak from the UN’s iconic green marble podium in New York. The Israeli politician took the stage on Thursday local time when pro-Palestine supporters protested just outside the UN headquarters. There was also a silent yet powerful protest taking place inside the hall. Dozens of diplomats, including those from Indonesia, quickly rushed out of the room shortly after Netanyahu got onstage.

“Before I begin, just a quick announcement. If there are any other moral cowards who haven't yet left this hall, please do so now. Thank you very much,” Netanyahu said, sarcastically.

He then proceeded to defend Israeli military campaigns in Gaza and Iran in front of a nearly empty hall, while trumpting his alliance with US President Donald Trump.

“In this battle against the barbarians, we have had no greater partner than President Trump. ... You ask, 'why are we winning?'. ... We have no other choice.”

For years, Indonesia has stood up for Palestinian independence. This was also not Indonesia’s first UN walkout on Israel. 

Although President Prabowo Subianto is skipping this year’s UN debate, his foreign minister Sugiono spent the past few days in New York building support for Palestine.

“We must continue to knock on the door of every country that has yet to recognize Palestine,” Sugiono told a session on the two-state solution, which envisions the creation of two democratic states for Palestine and Israel.

“Because every recognition will remove another brick from the wall of occupation.”

Sugiono will take the UN podium this weekend to deliver a national statement. Analysts also view the upcoming speech as a test of how far Jakarta will go to back Palestine, especially after joining the controversial Trump-backed Board of Peace and his proposed Gaza troops.

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