Indonesia cites ‘Gaza’ to refute reports on ties with Israel
Amid the widely circulated reports that Indonesia has decided to normalise ties with Israel, the country’s Foreign Ministry refuted citing the situation in Gaza.
[A Muslim woman holds up a poster during a rally against Israel outside the US Embassy in Jakarta, Indonesia. (File Photo: AP/Dita Alangkara)]
Jakarta: Amid the widely circulated reports that Indonesia has decided to normalise ties with Israel, the country’s Foreign Ministry refuted citing the situation in Gaza.
Israeli media a day ago reported that Indonesia has decided to normalise ties with Israel in its bid to join the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).
'No relation with Israel'
The Foreign Ministry of Indonesia however refuted all such reports citing the grave situation in Gaza.
"I affirm that, as of now, there are no plans to establish diplomatic relations with Israel, particularly given Israel's actions in Gaza,” Foreign Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Lalu Muhamad Iqbal said in a statement to Antara news agency.
The reports that Indonesia is planning to normalise relation with Israel came amid widespread anger against the far-roght Zionist regime in Israel over its actions against the civilians – mainly women and children, in Gaza, West Bank and other occupied Palestinian territories.
A number of countries, including the United Arab Emirates (UAE), have either suspended or revoked the diplomatic and trade relations with Israel following its genocidal military campaign in Gaza.
Against this backdrop, Israel media was over enthusiastic to report that Indonesia – a Muslim majority country, has decided to normalise ties with Israel. The Indonesian Foreign Ministry however has put to rest all such reports.
'Unwavering support for Palestine'
Iqbal also reiterated Indonesia's unwavering support for Palestinian independence within a framework of a two-state solution.
He emphasised that Indonesia remains consistent in defending the rights of the Palestinian people.
Indonesia which aims to become an advanced economy by 2045 started the OECD accession bid in February. It is the first country in Southeast Asia to do so, according to CAN.
Iqbal noted it typically takes 3 to 5 years for countries to become a member.
"The timing of Indonesia's full membership in the OECD is yet to be determined," he said.
Latest Gaza Updates
Meanwhile, reports coming from Gaza and West Bank Saturday April 13, 2024, said the Israeli Occupation Forces have continued with its brutal aggression against the Palestinians in Gaza and West Bank.
According to the Ministry of Health in Palestine, Israeli forces escalated aerial bombings on Gaza on Eid al Fitr (April 10) killing over 100 Palestinians, majority of them women and children, in the last two days.
Israeli settlers have carried out multiple attacks across the occupied West Bank, killing one and wounding several Palestinians, burning cars and homes and shooting at Red Crescent ambulances.
The situation in Gaza has also worsened due to the Israeli blockade. The United Nations has warned that cases of waterborne diseases such as diarrhoea are increasing because people in Gaza cannot access clean water and the weather is getting warmer.
In a related development, protesters have marched through the streets of New York in a demonstration calling for an end to the war in Gaza on Saturday April 13, 2024.
New York, Washington and other parts of the United States and the world including London and Berlin, are witnessing strong protests against the Zionists regime in Israel since Oct 7, 2023.
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