.jfif)
Jakarta, Indonesia -The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has forcefully refuted media reports claiming the Indonesian government is in discussions with Israel about the potential resettlement of Palestinians from the Gaza Strip. The ministry has labeled the assertions as entirely without merit.
"There has been no discussion nor agreement on this matter," Foreign Ministry spokesperson Vahd Nabyl A. Mulachela said in a statement on Thursday, August 14, 2025.
The denial comes in response to a report by Israeli broadcaster Channel 12, which alleged that Israel was in secret talks with five countries and territories—including Indonesia, Somaliland, Uganda, South Sudan, and Libya—to accept Palestinians who might be relocated from Gaza. The report specifically claimed that Indonesia and Somaliland had shown "increased openness" to the idea of voluntary immigration.
A Principled Stance
The Indonesian government has made it clear that no such negotiations have taken place. The Foreign Ministry's statement reiterated Indonesia’s long-standing and unwavering commitment to supporting the Palestinian cause, emphasizing that the government's official position remains unchanged.
This situation mirrors a similar denial from South Sudan. A day earlier, The Associated Press reported that Israel had discussed resettling Gazans in the African nation, an assertion the South Sudanese government promptly rejected on Wednesday as “baseless” and not reflective of its official policy.
The Push for "Voluntary Emigration"
These reports emerge amidst a broader push from Israeli leadership to encourage what it terms the "voluntary" mass emigration of Palestinians from Gaza.
In an interview with i24News on Tuesday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed his government is in contact with "several countries" about absorbing displaced civilians. "All those who are concerned for the Palestinians and say they want to help the Palestinians should open their doors to them," Netanyahu stated. "We’re not pushing them out—we’re enabling them to leave… if they want to." When asked why the process hadn't moved forward, he replied, "You need receiving countries. We are talking to several countries."
The context for these diplomatic overtures is complex. While countries like Somaliland are reportedly interested in securing international recognition through such a deal, major regional powers like Egypt remain deeply opposed to any plans that would transfer Palestinians out of Gaza, fearing a mass refugee crisis on its border.
The timing of the rumors involving South Sudan also coincided with an official Israeli delegation's visit to the country, led by Deputy Foreign Minister Sharren Haskel, further fueling speculation despite the official denials. For now, Indonesia's position is resolute: no talks, no agreements, and continued solidarity with Palestine.
.jfif)
