What's happened
Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto expressed willingness to establish diplomatic ties with Israel if it recognizes a Palestinian state. This statement came during talks with French President Emmanuel Macron, who is co-chairing an upcoming international conference aimed at reviving the two-state solution.
What's behind the headline?
Diplomatic Shifts
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Indonesia's Position: President Subianto's remarks signal a potential shift in Indonesia's long-standing policy towards Israel, contingent on Israel's recognition of Palestine. This reflects a broader trend among some nations reconsidering their diplomatic stances in light of evolving geopolitical dynamics.
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International Conference: The upcoming conference co-chaired by France and Saudi Arabia aims to revitalize discussions around the two-state solution. This could lead to significant diplomatic engagements, especially if major players like France follow through on recognizing Palestinian statehood.
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Regional Implications: Indonesia's willingness to engage with Israel could influence other Muslim-majority nations, potentially altering the landscape of Middle Eastern diplomacy. The response from Israel, particularly given its opposition to Palestinian statehood, will be crucial in determining the feasibility of these diplomatic overtures.
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Public Sentiment: Support for Palestine remains strong in Indonesia, which may complicate the government's diplomatic maneuvers. Any perceived concessions to Israel could provoke public backlash, as seen in previous instances where Indonesia withdrew from hosting international events involving Israel.
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Future Outlook: If Indonesia and Israel can navigate these complex dynamics, it may pave the way for broader acceptance of Israel in the region, contingent on progress towards Palestinian statehood. This scenario underscores the delicate balance between diplomatic engagement and domestic public opinion.
What the papers say
According to The New Arab, President Subianto stated, "Indonesia has stated that once Israel recognizes Palestine, Indonesia is ready to recognize Israel and open the diplomatic relationship." This sentiment is echoed in The Times of Israel, which highlights the Israeli government's opposition to Palestinian statehood, complicating the potential for diplomatic relations. The New Arab also notes that support for Palestine is deeply rooted in Indonesian society, which could impact the government's diplomatic decisions. The joint statement from France and Indonesia emphasizes the need for mutual recognition, indicating a collaborative effort to address the longstanding conflict.
How we got here
Indonesia, the world's most populous Muslim-majority nation, has no formal ties with Israel and has consistently advocated for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Recent developments include a joint statement from France and Indonesia calling for mutual recognition between Israel and Palestine.
Go deeper
- What are the implications of Indonesia recognizing Israel?
- How has public opinion in Indonesia reacted to this potential change?
- What role does France play in this diplomatic effort?
More on these topics
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France, officially the French Republic, is a country consisting of metropolitan France in Western Europe and several overseas regions and territories.
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Israel, formally known as the State of Israel, is a country in Western Asia, located on the southeastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea and the northern shore of the Red Sea.
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Indonesia, officially the Republic of Indonesia, is a country in Southeast Asia and Oceania, between the Indian and Pacific oceans. It consists of more than seventeen thousand islands, including Sumatra, Java, Borneo, Sulawesi, and New Guinea. Indonesia i
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Prabowo Subianto Djojohadikusumo is an Indonesian politician, businessman and former Army lieutenant General who is the currently-appointed Minister of Defence of the Republic of Indonesia.
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Emmanuel Jean-Michel Frédéric Macron is a French politician who has been President of France and ex officio Co-Prince of Andorra since 14 May 2017.