Indonesia\u2019s Foreign Policy, Security Behind Israel Houghton\u2019s Ban<\/p>\n
Reporter<\/p>\n
October 7, 2026 | 09:48 am<\/p>\n
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Indonesian government\u2019s decision to withhold\npermits and visas for American gospel musician Israel Houghton and his\ngroup, Israel & New Breed, centers on foreign policy alignment,\ndomestic security, and strict immigration regulations. The scheduled\nperformance, part of the \u2018Til The Whole World Knows Tour 2026,\u2019 was set\nfor October 24, 2026, at Graha Pengharapan in Jakarta.<\/p>\n
Coordinating Minister for Law, Human Rights, Immigration, and\nCorrection Affairs, Yusril Ihza Mahendra, explained that the government\nacted after evaluating domestic security concerns alongside Indonesia\u2019s\nofficial diplomatic support for the Palestinian cause.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe believe that any activity with the potential to be exploited to\nharm the struggle of the Palestinian people will not be allowed to take\nplace in Indonesia,\u201d Yusril said in a written statement released on\nTuesday, October 6, 2026.<\/p>\n
He noted that the government took into account a public statement\nmade by Israel Houghton in October 2023, during which he declared, \u201cI\nstand with Israel.\u201d However, Yusril clarified that the government is not\nchallenging Houghton\u2019s religious beliefs or opposing his background as a\ngospel singer.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat concerns the government is ensuring that no activity in\nIndonesia is exploited for political propaganda that contradicts\nIndonesia\u2019s foreign policy and its commitment to supporting the struggle\nof the Palestinian people,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Yusril added that he had coordinated with the Coordinating Ministry\nfor Political and Security Affairs, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the\nMinistry of Immigration and Corrections, the Ministry of Culture, and\nthe Indonesian National Police. He noted that the police, through the\nJakarta Metropolitan Police, confirmed the performance would not receive\nauthorization due to public order and security considerations.<\/p>\n
\u201cThus, from a licensing standpoint, the performance will not receive\npolice permission,\u201d Yusril stated. \u201cThe government must certainly\nconsider the broader situation regarding public security and order.\u201d<\/p>\n
However, Yusril revealed that no official permit application for the\nevent has been submitted to the police to date. He expressed surprise at\nthe situation, given that tickets had already been offered online.<\/p>\n
Yusril also assured that Israel Houghton has not submitted a visa\napplication to enter Indonesia for the event. \u201cIf such an application is\nsubmitted for the purpose of performing, we will not issue the visa\nbecause the concert itself lacks police permit,\u201d he stated.<\/p>\n
Furthermore, Israel Houghton and his band cannot use a visa on\narrival to host or perform in a concert. A tourist visit visa cannot be\nutilized for performance purposes.<\/p>\n
Yusril emphasized that the policy is not intended to restrict\nartistic or musical expression. Instead, it is the government\u2019s measure\nto safeguard domestic security while ensuring Indonesian territory is\nnot utilized for activities that could disrupt public order or run\ncounter to the commitment to Palestinian independence.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe government respects the arts and freedom of expression. However,\nthat freedom must be exercised with due regard for security, public\norder, and Indonesia\u2019s national interests,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
Chairperson of the MUI Fatwa Board Asrorun Niam Sholeh stated that\nIndonesia\u2019s stance firmly opposes the genocidal actions committed by\nZionist Israel. Indonesia, he added, stands against all forms of\ncolonization and remains consistent in its support for a free\nPalestine.<\/p>\n
He noted that one way to show support for Palestine is by severing\nties with entities affiliated with pro-Israel causes. He expressed\nconcern that Houghton\u2019s concert could spark provocative actions,\npotentially causing national instability and public unrest.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt defiles the nation\u2019s commitment against Zionist Israel and\ntarnishes our public image in global relations,\u201d he said, as quoted by\nDetik.com.<\/p>\n
Niam insisted that the event must be prevented and banned. This\naligns with an MUI fatwa instructing Indonesian Muslims to support\nPalestine. \u201cThe organizers need to be investigated,\u201d Niam said.<\/p>\n
On social media, Israel Houghton previously announced on his\nInstagram account that he would hold a concert tour titled \u201c\u2019Til The\nWhole World Knows Tour 2026.\u201d He noted plans to perform across Asia and\nIndia between October and November 2026. However, his official schedule\ndid not explicitly list a Jakarta venue.<\/p>\n
Read: Indonesia Bans Israel Houghton\u2019s Jakarta Concert<\/p>\n
Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google\nNews<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/indonesias-foreign-policy-security-behind-israel-houghtons-ban-1791345074", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }