Indonesia has stated that it has no plans to establish diplomatic relations with Israel, as reported by state media agency Antara. The Indonesian Foreign Ministry emphasized this stance, citing the ongoing atrocities in Gaza as a key reason for maintaining this position.
According to Foreign Ministry spokesman Lalu Muhamad Iqbal, Indonesia remains committed to defending the rights of the Palestinian nation and will not consider establishing ties with Israel. This statement came in response to reports that Israel and Indonesia had been in talks to normalize relations over the past few months.
Indonesia, a Muslim-majority country, is seeking to join the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), which requires the establishment of diplomatic relations with Israel as a precondition. Despite this, Iqbal asserted that Indonesia will remain firm in its support for Palestine and will not prioritize joining the OECD if it means compromising on its principles.
The process for Indonesia to potentially join the OECD is set to begin next May, with Iqbal indicating that it will be a lengthy and careful process. The Indonesian government has not responded to inquiries from CNN about the reported talks with Israel.
Overall, Indonesia’s stance on diplomatic relations with Israel remains clear, with a strong commitment to supporting the Palestinian cause above all else.