|
Trending Topics
|
Source: https://jewishinsider.com/2024/02/israel-indonesia-normalization-state-department/?
Israel, Indonesia Were on Track to Normalize Ties before Oct. 7
(Jewish Insider) Lahav Harkov - Israel and Indonesia had planned to announce the establishment of diplomatic relations in October 2023, a move that was delayed by the Hamas attack on Israel and subsequent war in Gaza, three sources involved in the negotiations told Jewish Insider. After four months of negotiations, Israel's then-Foreign Minister Eli Cohen and departing Indonesian President Joko Widodo's office approved a final draft of an agreement for the Jewish state and the country with the world's largest Muslim population to exchange trade offices, as a first step towards full diplomatic relations. Indonesian President-Elect Prabowo Subianto, who won election earlier this month, has long supported normalization with Israel. Indonesia's sizable Christian minority (29 million people or 10% of the population) is pro-Israel.