25 July 2018•Update: 25 July 2018
By Erric Permana
JAKARTA
Indonesian Vice President Jusuf Kalla on Tuesday rejected Israel's controversial "Jewish nation-state" law, likening it to apartheid once practised in South Africa.
Besides, he said, it contradicts with the establishment of the State of Israel.
"Palestinians comprise 20 percent of the country’s total population.
By passing the bill, Israel perpetuates discrimination against the minority groups. In that sense, Indonesia strongly criticized the law," said Kalla.
He asked Israel to reevaluate the full extent of the law and its implications.
Kalla also revealed that he will address the issue during the Organization of Islamic Cooperation summit next year.
"There will be a summit in Gambia next year. Gambian vice president is also expected to visit Indonesia to talk about the preparation.
Indonesia will help in the preparation,” he added.
Israel has come under criticism after Knesset passed the controversial law last week.
The law defines Israel as the nation-state of the Jews.
The legislation further states that a “united Jerusalem” is the capital of Israel and that Hebrew is the country's official language, stripping Arabic as an official language while recognizing its “special status”.
