Luqman Nul Hakim, a lecturer from the Department of International Relations UGM, as a moderator asked several questions to each speaker according to their expertise. Siti Mutiah Setiawati with the topic of “Zionism, Violence, and the Palestine Problem” said that there are several key points in the 2021 Israel-Palestine crisis which are the increasing military strength of Hamas and the increasing support for Palestine. With the topic of “Solidarity and Non-Violence Global Action for Palestine,” Diah Kusumaningrum reiterated Siti’s answer, that support towards Palestine is widening. Additionally, the quality and quantity of nonviolent action done by Palestinians and the global community is also increasing.
The recent Israel-Palestine crisis inspires grassroot actors and political elites in the United States to support Palestine. This erodes the United States’ commitment towards Palestine, said Nur Rachmat Yuliantoro with the topic of “Biden and US Foreign Policy Dynamic in the Middle East.”. Another perspective was given by Riza Noer Arfani with the topic “The Political Economy of Violence and Challenges to Peace” who said that the Israel-Palestine crisis was born from the military-industrial complex. Therefore, it’s imperative to start building the peace-industrial complex.
Ririn Tri Nurhayati with the topic “Palestine and Permanent Humanitarian Crisis” explained that the Israel-Palestine crisis caused a humanitarian crisis in the form of Palestinian refugee wave. To solve this humanitarian crisis, humanitarian action and diplomacy is needed. On the other hand, Muhadi Sugiono with the topic of “International Relations and the Palestinian Problem” said that the solution towards the crisis are often times not effective.
The IIS Strategic Talk can be heard and seen in the form of podcast and video through ISS and IR UGM’s social media.