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Israel Refuses Indonesia’s Role in Palestinian Peace Process
Friday, 09 December, 2005 | 20:53 WIB

TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta:The Israeli government has said that for the time being, Indonesia is yet able to take up its role in the peace process between Palestine and Israel because Indonesia had no diplomatic relationship with Israel.

“To bring peace between different parties, Indonesia can not establish relationship with only one party (Palestine),” Israeli foreign department spokesman Mark Regey told TEMPO by phone on Wednesday night (07/12).

What this meant, according to Regey, Indonesia had to establish a diplomatic relationship with Israel.

The Israeli foreign department spokesman made this statement in response to a request made by Indonesia.

This request was made during a meeting between Indonesian Foreign Minister Hassan Wirajuda and Israeli Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom at the United Nations General Assembly session in New York in September.

According to Regey, up to now, there have yet to be any follow ups to the results of this meeting.

However, he added, the Israeli government really appreciated the proposal made by the Indonesian government and hoped to see the resumption of diplomatic relations between both two countries.

This is because the relationship will benefit both Indonesia and Israel in terms of economic, political and social-cultural matters.

Regey acknowledged that it would be difficult to expect the establishment of an official relationship between the two countries.

However, he has requested Indonesia’s support for Israel by condemning the attacks made by Palestinian militants against the people and interests of Israel.

“Even Palestinian leaders condemned the attacks in Netanya,” stated Regey.

Regey stated that Israeli acknowledged the principles of Palestina as a free country living together with Israel in a peace and security.

Therefore, the Israeli government is prepared to establish relationships with all Moslem countries, including Indonesia. (Faisal Assegaf-Tempo News Room)