Israel-Indonesia relations

(Clockwise from top right) Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, US President Donald Trump, Mauritania's President Mohamed Ould El-Ghzaouani and Indonesian President Joko Widodo. (Collage/AP)

January 19, 2021, 10:59 pm

Trump officials: Mauritania, Indonesia were next to normalize, but time ran out

US peace team was ‘weeks’ away from inking deal with northwest African country to re-establish ties with Israel, outgoing officials say, adding that Jakarta was not far behind

By Jacob Magid

Likud Minister Ofir Akunis in Jerusalem on May 28, 2019. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)

December 24, 2020, 2:22 am

After US official raised issue, Likud minister hints Indonesia may agree to ties

Ofir Akunis says two states are seen as the favorites to next establish relations with Israel, won’t name them, but notes one is a ‘Muslim country that isn’t small’

By TOI staff

US President Donald Trump listens as Adam Boehler, CEO of U.S. International Development Finance Corporation, speaks about the coronavirus in the Rose Garden of the White House, Tuesday, April 14, 2020, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

December 23, 2020, 1:12 am

Trump administration offering Indonesia billions in aid for Israel normalization

Top official says world’s most populous Muslim-majority nation could get $1 to $2 billion more in development assistance if it joins countries recognizing Jewish state

By TOI staff and JTA

Indonesia's President Joko Widodo (R) shakes hands with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas (L) during the closing of the 5th Extraordinary Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Summit on the Palestinian territories on March 7, 2016 in Jakarta. (Garry Lotulung/Pool/AFP)

December 17, 2020, 5:42 pm

Indonesian president: No normalization with Israel until Palestinians have state

Amid reports that Jakarta is mulling forging diplomatic ties with Jewish state, Joko Widodo tells Abbas in phone call that nation remains committed to two-state solution first

By TOI staff

Aviv Meshil, 23, who is missing since he went surfing off the coast of Nusa Lembongan, Indonesia on June 17, 2019 (Facebook)

June 20, 2019, 2:34 pm

Search for Israeli missing in Indonesia complicated by lack of formal ties

Aviv Meshil, 23, hasn’t been seen since Monday, when he went surfing off Nusa Lembongan, southeast of Bali; Foreign Ministry said to be coordinating with local authorities

By TOI staff

Illustrative: Muslim worshipers hold Palestinian and Malaysian flags following Friday noon prayers At Jerusalem's Old City's al-Aqsa mosque compound on the Temple Mount, December 22, 2017. (AFP Photo/Ahmad Gharabli)

May 6, 2019, 7:23 pm

2018 saw record number of tourists visit Israel from Muslim countries

Among the visitors: almost 55,000 citizens of countries that do not have formal relations with Israel, including 14,000 Malaysians… and six Saudis

By Raphael Ahren

This picture taken on March 4, 2019 shows Indonesian Jews at a synagogue in Tondano, North Sulawesi (Ronny Adolof Buol / AFP)

March 5, 2019, 2:42 pm

On remote island in Muslim-majority Indonesia, Jewish community lives in shadows

Most of the country’s 200 Jews live – and feel comfortable showing their faith – in Manado, but even here there is concern over anti-Semitism

By Peter Brieger and Ronny Buol

Residents inspect a house damaged by a tsunami, in Carita, Indonesia, December 23, 2018 (AP Photo)

December 24, 2018, 9:51 am

Israel sends warm wishes, but no aid, to tsunami-stricken Indonesia

In October, government reportedly sent water purifiers to disaster-affected areas in world’s most populous Muslim nation

By Raphael Ahren

Indonesia President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo, front left, walks with Australia former Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, front right, during their bilateral meeting at Our Ocean Conference in Bali, Indonesia Monday, Oct. 29, 2018.(AP Photo/Firdia Lisnawati)

October 30, 2018, 3:53 am

Australia’s ex-PM warns Jerusalem embassy move could harm ties with Indonesia

Canberra is due to sign a free trade agreement with its key neighbor, the largest majority-Muslim country

By Rod McGuirk

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the Christian Media Summit in Jerusalem, October 14, 2018 (Haim Tzach)

October 14, 2018, 10:24 pm

Netanyahu: We want ‘excellent relations’ with Indonesia

Addressing Christian journalists, PM vows to appoint special emissary to the Christian world, calls B’Tselem a ‘disgrace’ and backs Likud minister’s handling of the Alqasem case

By Raphael Ahren

Rescue personnel search for survivors at a collapsed home in Balaroa, West Palu, Indonesia's Central Sulawesi on October 3, 2018, after an earthquake and tsunami hit the area on September 28. (AFP/Yusuf Wahil)

October 3, 2018, 11:06 pm

Israel reportedly sends aid to Indonesia following earthquake, tsunami

Delegation said to prepare to head out in coming days to affected areas, where 1,400 have died and 200,000 are in need

By Raphael Ahren

People survey the damage to a residential area following a massive earthquake and tsunami at Talise beach in Palu, Central Sulawesi, Indonesia, Oct. 1, 2018 (AP Photo/Tatan Syuflana)

October 2, 2018, 11:08 pm

Israel, which offered disaster aid to Iran, strangely unhelpful to Indonesia

Officials won’t say why no help offered after quake, with 1,200 dead and 200,000 in need; Jerusalem has aided Turkey, Haiti, Philippines, Nepal, reached out to Iraq, even Iran

By Raphael Ahren

Vice President of Indonesia Jusuf Kalla addresses the 73rd session of the United Nations General Assembly Thursday, Sept. 27, 2018, at the United Nations headquarters. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

October 2, 2018, 8:18 pm

Indonesia VP says he talked peace with Netanyahu at UN after bumping into him

Jusuf Kalla confirms he met with Israeli leader on sidelines of General Assembly; encounter was not pre-planned

By TOI staff

Indonesian Christian pilgrims sing before a baptismal ceremony in Jordan river at the Yardenit baptismal site in Israel, March 17, 2017. (AP Photo/Dusan Vranic)

June 27, 2018, 11:12 am

Israel reverses ban on Indonesian tourists after officials protest

Foreign Ministry hails ‘good news,’ as Jakarta also said to lift restrictions slapped on Israeli visitors over Gaza deaths last month

By Michael Bachner

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu meets Sheikh Yahya Cholil Staquf, leader of Nahdlatul Ulama, at his Jerusalem office, June 14, 2018 (Haim Zach, GPO)

June 15, 2018, 6:28 am

Netanyahu unexpectedly meets with Indonesian Muslim leader

Yahya Staquf, who heads world’s largest Muslim organization, says he wants to promote ties with Jerusalem, but stresses he came to affirm ‘Palestine’s sovereignty’

By AP