Indonesia once again rules out US demand to recognize Israel

Indonesia, the largest Muslim country in the world, has rejected the US demand to accept Israel, and with the establishment of an independent Palestinian state and acknowledging Palestinian struggle, the Zionist state could not be recognized.

As per American, Indonesian, and Israeli media outlets, the US government had been in contact with Indonesia ambassadors and the Indonesian Foreign Ministry for the last six months, in order to recognize Israel and a new combined faith under the US and Israeli desires.

Antony Blinken, US Secretary of State, forced Indonesia in a recent visit here that if the country signs the Ibrahim Pact, and establishes the trade, diplomatic and cultural relations with Tel Aviv by recognizing Israel, the US will strengthen its trade relations with Indonesia.

The US also offered Indonesia to enhance its investment on war-footing basis in case of recognition of Israel. In addition, the American military hardware and jets will be provided to Indonesia, and the US will give the status of a close friend to Indonesia. However, the Indonesian government rejected the US pressure and all such offers.

A senior Israeli official termed the development disappointment from the Jakarta’s behavior. If the largest Muslim country like Indonesia establishes its formal diplomatic relations, it will be like a great victory for Israel.

Jakarta Post reported that US Secretary of State Antony Blinken had put up the matter face-to-face to the Indonesia counterpart in his last week visit. The spokesman of the Indonesian Foreign Ministry confirmed that a one-on-one meeting held between Antony Blinken and Indonesia Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi, in which Blinken insisted the counterpart that it is the desire of US President Joe Biden to expand the Ibrahim Pact and recognize Israel like the Gulf allies, but the Indonesia Minister flatly refused the US Secretary of State of recognizing Israel.

Recently, Adam Bowler, US International Development Corporation, had admitted that if Indonesia established its formal diplomatic relations with Israel, the US could enhance its investments in Indonesia.

The spokesman clearly said, “Our Foreign Minister Marsudi reiterated the strong Indonesian stance one-on-one with the US counterpart, and our policy will not change regarding Palestine.”

It is pertinent to mention here that Indonesian government had flatly refused the offer earlier as well when the former US president Donald Trump offered mediation between Israel and Indonesia.