Israel-Indonesia relations

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

Yahya Staquf, secretary general of the 60 million member Nahdlatul Ulama poses for a photograph, overlooking Jerusalem, June 11, 2018. (AP Photo/Caron Craighton)

June 12, 2018, 2:52 pm

In Israel, top Indonesian cleric calls for ‘compassion’ between Muslims and Jews

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 Raphael Ahren

June 12, 2018, 12:32 am

Visiting Israel, Indonesian Muslim leader risks backlash at home

Yahya Staquf calls for ‘new discourse’ between faiths as he meets with academics and religious leaders; critics say his trip is tantamount to recognizing Israel

By CARON CREIGHTON

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

June 8, 2018, 1:46 am

Officials urge reversal of ‘harmful’ ban on Indonesian tourists visiting Israel

Tourism industry warns of ‘insufferable financial consequences’ from tit-for-tat response to Jakarta’s moratorium on issuing visas to Israelis in protest of Gaza killings

By Michael Bachner

Hebrew teacher Sapri Sale (center, with white shirt) with his students in Jakarta, February 2018 (Conny Dwirani)

March 13, 2018, 1:15 am

Muslim man opens first-ever Hebrew course in Indonesia

While some criticize effort to promote language, Sapri Sale’s previously published Hebrew-Indonesian dictionary received endorsement from senior imam

By Raphael Ahren

Protesters shout slogans during a rally outside US Embassy in Jakarta, Indonesia, December 11, 2017. (AP Photo/Dita Alangkara)

December 11, 2017, 12:53 pm

Indonesians burn Israeli, US flags in 4th day of Jerusalem protests

Activists rally outside US embassy over Trump’s recognition of capital, wave banners reading, ‘We are with the Palestinians’

By AP and TOI staff

Muslim men hold posters during a rally against US President Donald Trump's decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital outside the US Embassy in Jakarta, Indonesia, December 10, 2017. (AP Photo/Dita Alangkara)

December 10, 2017, 5:47 pm

Thousands of Indonesians rally at US embassy over Jerusalem

Protesters slam Trump’s ‘humiliation and provocation’ in cities throughout country with largest Muslim population

By AP and TOI staff