Response to Mr. Zulfikar and Ms. Aryanti: Palestinian lives matter

I am intrigued by the writing of Mr. Muhammad Zulfikar Rakhmat and Ms. Shafa Kalila Aryanti  titled “Indonesia’s cabinet secretary is sanitizing genocide in Gaza” published on 7 March 2026. On 5 March 2026, Indonesia’s cabinet secretary, Mr. Teddy Indra Wijaya, was quoted to have stated that the cessation of conflict in Gaza cannot occur in instantaneous manner. While there may remain several clashes, the number have decreased significantly. He said that the numbers have decreased to be around 600 – 1000 people as compared to around 70.000 people just between 2024 – 2025.  Mr. Rakhmat and Ms. Aryanti framed Mr. Wijaya’s statements as sanitizing genocide in Gaza. Their framing is problematic and troublesome at the same time for the […]