Broto Wardoyo, Jakarta
Everyday, the temptation for the Indonesian government to get involved in the Israeli-Palestinian peace process grows. Palestinian Foreign Minister al-Zahar visited Jakarta simply to invite Indonesia to take part in the process. The Palestinian Authority has argued that Indonesia's close ties with the U.S. will provide a solid foundation when presenting Palestine's needs and Indonesia's position as the most populous Muslim country in the world will encourage the West and Israel to listen.
For Israel, Indonesia's involvement, which is likely to result in formal Indonesian-Israeli diplomatic relations, will help legitimize Israel's right-to-existence claim in the eyes of Muslim countries. Indonesia's recognition of the state of Israel will be key to attracting recognition from other Muslim countries and prominent non-alignment nations.
But being a mediator in the Israeli-Palestinian peace process will be not be easy.
First, Indonesia will have to compete with the other countries that have shown an interest in doing the job. The U.S., the European Union, Russia and China have all stated their desire to bring peace to the Middle East. Playing a hegemonic role in the area or creating a balance of power in the region are the main objectives of these nations. Indonesia shares none of this. Indonesia only wants to help the Palestinian people fulfill their dream of freedom, a value shared by Indonesia and other non-alignment countries.
Second, Indonesia must be prepared to deal with the financial costs of the peace process as its lack of resources will curtail its chances of playing a leading roll. Indonesia could raise the idea of a peace consortium, of which it could be a member. The consortium would replace the current Quartet and Indonesia could play the role of balancer, working to keep the consortium neutral and fair. This would depend, however, on the consent of the other members, but being a solo player will not be a choice for Indonesia.
Third, what Israel and Palestine both need is a mediator they can trust, someone able to understand the Palestinian and Jewish causes. To do that, Indonesia will have to erase the image of ""evil"" Israel.
Israel is not popular among Indonesians. They have no time for its claim to the holy land of Palestine. The Indonesian public generally do not make a distinction between the state of Israel and the Jews of Israel. They see all Jews who live in Israel as colonizers. There is certainly little understanding that the Jews in Israel can be divided into several groups. There are those who went there to find a better life or a safe haven from persecution. There are others who came for religious reasons. And then there are those whose driving force was Zionism. Not all Israelis agree with the occupation.
Indonesia will have to be a fair mediator. It will have to give equal weight to both Israeli and Palestinian claims. If today it has diplomatic relations with the Palestinian Authority, then tomorrow it should have the same with Israel. The question is, is the Indonesian public ready for that sort of relationship? Does Indonesia have a vital interest in a relationship with Israel that will require diplomatic relations?
Indonesia has two potential ways of dealing with these issues.
It could avow the right of Israel to exist in the disputed land, but not necessarily declare sovereignty over the land. This declaration would be followed with an exchange of relations at a level agreed to by both. Diplomatic relations will be then be opened. In exchange for Israel's acceptance of and involvement in a peace process mediated by Indonesia.
Or, Indonesia could open diplomatic contact with Israel after the Palestinian state is erected.
In the absence of an Israeli withdrawal from the Palestinian territories and the granting of permission for the declaration of a Palestinian state, Indonesia will have to delay its acknowledgment of Israel as a sovereign state.
It will take more than just ambition to be involved in the Israeli-Palestinian peace process. Indonesia must prove it can play the role of mediator effectively.
The writer is a lecturer in the Department of International Relations at the University of Indonesia. He can be reached at itok_wardoyo@hotmail.com.
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