Jakarta. Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudi expressed Indonesia’s disappointment over the UN Security Council in an open debate on the protracted Gaza war.

Indonesia also wants the 15-member body to not tolerate the war in Gaza as civilian casualties continue to climb.

“I am here to remind the council members that you have a great mandate to maintain international peace and security, not to tolerate wars, and especially not genocide,” Retno told the council’s open debate in New York on Tuesday local time.

The UN Charter -- the organization’s founding document -- has clearly stated that the Security Council resolutions are binding, according to Retno. While the council has adopted a number of resolutions on Palestine, the Israeli aggression continues.

“My question today is how many resolutions have been adopted on Palestine? How many are in force? Where must Palestine go when for decades the council fails to act on its own resolution while Israel kills Palestinians with impunity,” Retno said.

“I urge council members to stop the everyday horrors faced by the Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank,” Retno said. 

Later that day, Retno said the lack of sanctions imposed by the council prompted Indonesia to make those comments.

“There have been many violations of the resolutions on Palestine. But I have not seen any sanctions against the offenders,” Retno said in a recorded press statement shortly after the debate.

The UN Security Council encompasses five permanent members, while the other 10 members get elected for two-year terms. The US, China, Russia, the UK, and France are permanent members. Last month, the UN Security Council adopted a resolution demanding an unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza. The Palestinian death toll has surpassed 25,000 people since the conflict escalated last October, the Gaza health ministry recently reported.

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