Indonesia Rejects Claims of Talks with Israel on Palestinian Resettlement, Reaffirms Humanitarian Focus
Jakarta, The Gulf Observer: Indonesia has dismissed reports claiming it held discussions with Israel regarding a plan to permanently resettle Palestinians from the Gaza Strip to other countries, affirming that its humanitarian efforts are strictly temporary.
“There are no talks with Israel,” Foreign Ministry spokesperson Vahd Nabyl A. Mulachela said in a written statement on Thursday, refuting Israeli media claims that Indonesia was among five countries and territories approached by the Israeli regime. Other reported parties included Uganda, South Sudan, Libya, and the unrecognised Somali breakaway territory of Somaliland.
While reiterating Indonesia’s readiness to accept Palestinian refugees, as directed by President Prabowo Subianto, officials stressed that their stay in Indonesia would be solely for medical treatment, after which they would return to their homeland.
“The war victims will, of course, return to Gaza once they have recovered from their injuries. In other words, this is not a relocation plan — this is a humanitarian operation aimed at helping as many victims as we can,” Presidential Communication Office (PCO) Chief Hasan Nasbi stated on Thursday (August 7).
Deputy Foreign Minister Arrmanatha Nasir also confirmed that Indonesia’s plan to evacuate and treat Palestinian victims on Galang Island, Riau Islands Province, will proceed only with the approval of the Palestinian authorities.
“Everything will be ready with Palestine’s approval. We are ready to implement it upon requests from countries in the region and in accordance with Arab League resolutions,” Nasir said following a press briefing on Friday (August 8).
He underlined that Indonesia’s initiative is not aimed at pressuring Palestinians to leave Gaza, as proposed by Zionist or pro-Zionist agendas. Instead, he emphasised, it reflects President Prabowo’s commitment to supporting those affected by Israeli military actions in Gaza.
