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Why Indonesia should open diplomatic relations with Israel
Indonesia needs to review its approach on supporting a two-state solution, which is nearly impossible to achieve if it talks to just one of the two states that must work together to reach a solution.
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Let’s talk: Nahdlatul Ulama’s (NU) Yahya Cholil Staquf (left) shakes hands with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem on June 15, 2018. (Courtesy of/@Benjamin Netanyahu)
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IFA’s decision to remove Indonesia as the host of the 2023 Under-20 (U-20) World Cup represents a humiliating “own goal” loss to Indonesia, with the costs of a damaged international image post-Group of 20, angry soccer fans, the threat of class action lawsuits, economic losses of trillions of rupiah, potential FIFA sanctions and Indonesia’s likely inability to host other future international sporting events, including the 2034 World Cup or the 2036 Olympics.
FIFA made its decision in response to the proposed “conditions” (read: unacceptable restrictions) demanded by select Indonesian politicians singling out the Israel youth team, including refusing to allow the team to play in Bali and Central Java. These politicians did this to demonstrate their ostensible support for the “Palestinian cause”.
Indeed, Indonesia supports a two-state solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict and has been a partisan of the Palestinian cause since at least the 1955 Bandung Conference. Indonesia has yet to establish diplomatic relations with Israel.
The politicians’ actions backfired. Now, Argentina, Muslim nation Qatar, and other nations are offering to replace Indonesia as the FIFA U-20 World Cup host next month. For much of the world, the Indonesian politicians’ position appears unreasonable, cruel, and perhaps even antisemitic, especially since the Israeli players are all between 17 and 19 years old.
If Indonesia wishes to meaningfully support Palestinians and a two-state solution, then targeting Israeli teenagers is not the way to do this. Rather, Indonesia can and should recognize the existence of Israel and open diplomatic relations if it is serious about supporting Palestinians. There are at least three reasons why Indonesia should open diplomatic relations with Israel.
First, Indonesia cannot create a two-state solution by talking with only one of the two parties.
For example, Coordinating Political, Legal, and Security Affairs Minister Mahfud M.D. recently stated: “Indonesia doesn’t have diplomatic relations with Israel and this will remain so until Palestine is free.” This mirrors the belief of Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi and other Indonesian policymakers.
