Observer: Indonesian government will “commit suicide” if it opens diplomatic relations with Israel

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com – University of Indonesia Professor of International Law, Hikmahanto Juwana, assessed that it would be impossible for the Indonesian government to enter into diplomatic relations with Israel, despite the tempting offer of assistance from the United States of up to Rs 28 trillion.

He said the government was tantamount to committing suicide if it entered into diplomatic relations with Israel.

“I think the government will commit suicide if it accepts the offer,” Hikmahanto said when contacted on Friday (12/25/2020).

Also read: The United States is looking to Indonesia, a Muslim-majority country to make peace with Israel

According to him, the impact of opening diplomatic relations is very strong.

He explained some of the reasons, including the Indonesian constitution, which clearly states that colonialism must be abolished. This was stated in the preamble to the 1945 Constitution.

“Our position is clear. Unless our constitution is no longer considered a preamble, UUD 1945 will be amended, please,” Hikmahanto said.

Next, Hikmahanto said, Indonesians, who are predominantly Muslim, have a high sense of sympathy and solidarity with Palestine.

Also read: MUI encourages the government to remain firm in not opening diplomatic relations with Israel

This means that the government will oppose the constitution and the wishes of the public if it decides to open diplomatic relations with Israel.

“Do not allow this to conflict with the constitution and against the will of the Indonesian public,” he said.

In addition, he said that President Joko Widodo also had the opportunity to have a telephone conversation with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas some time ago.

Jokowi has emphasized that the Indonesian government will not open diplomatic relations with Israel.

“President Abbas greatly appreciates President Jokowi’s commitment because Indonesia does not follow several Arab countries that have opened diplomatic relations,” Hikmahanto said.

Opening diplomatic relations with Israel will also strengthen Israel’s position in the Palestinian territories.

Hikmahanto believes that Israel can claim to the international community that an anti-colonial state wants to recognize Israel as a state and establish diplomatic relations.

Also read: Pledged Rp. 28 billion in assistance from the US, Indonesia has not yet opened diplomatic relations with Israel

“If a country whose constitution says it wants to establish diplomatic relations is something extraordinary,” he said.

More than that, he said the government should be careful because the trillion rupee offer of assistance came at a time when US President Donald Trum’s term was just around the corner.

According to Hikmahanto, the offer is closely linked to the competition of the United States with China to dominate the countries of the Asian region.

“Perhaps this offer is related to the competition for dominance between the United States and China in the Asian region,” he said.

It was previously reported that the United States promised development assistance of up to $ 2 billion or Rs 28 trillion if Indonesia wanted to open diplomatic relations with Israel.

The statement was made by a senior Trump administration official, Adam Boehler, to Bloomberg which was released on Tuesday (12/22/2020).

Boehler’s statement to Bloomberg was also quoted by Israeli media, The Times of Israel.

Boehler is the CEO of the US International Development Finance Corporation (DFC), a US government-owned financial institution.

“We are currently discussing it with them (Indonesia). If they are ready, we will be happy, even more supportive in the form of financial support,” Boehler said.