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Indonesia remains unmoved by US President Donald Trump’s $2 billion offer to normalize relations with Israel.

“[Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi] has made it clear that Indonesia does not and will not have any intentions of establishing diplomatic relations with Israel,” said Indonesian Foreign Ministry spokesman Teuku Faizasyah on Thursday, December 24.

He added that Indonesian President Joko Widodo maintained Indonesia’s stance during a conversation with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas last week.

The Indonesia Ulama Council or MUI, also called on the Indonesian government not to normalize relations with Israel.

“We urge the [Indonesian] government to assert its support for Palestinian independence, as it is in line with its free and active foreign policy under the 1945 constitution,” said MUI chairman Miftachul Akhyar.

In an interview with Bloomberg on Tuesday, December 22, US International Development Finance Cooperation Chief Executive Officer Adam Boehler said “We’re talking to [Indonesia] about [establishing diplomatic relations with Israel].”

The US hoped Indonesia will join Morocco, the United Arab Emirates, and other Middle Eastern countries in establishing diplomatic relations with Israel in a peace plan brokered by Trump’s advisor and son-in-law Jared Kushner. 

Source:

https://go.kompas.com/read/2020/12/24/203121574/indonesia-unfazed-by-us-govts-2-billion-offer-to-normalize-relations-with-israel?page=all#page2.