On relations with Israel<\/p>\n
Please allow me to comment on the article from Gatra picked up
\nby The Jakarta Post on April 28, 1995, as follows. I do not share
\nthe writer's views at all. Let us take it point by point.<\/p>\n
Reading the article first of all gives an impression that the
\nwriter knows something about our government considering
\ndiplomatic relations with Israel. Many of us, of course, are
\nhappy to know that and, as always, there are some who object to
\nit. However, our government knows best. The people chose their
\ngovernment representatives and should trust them fully.<\/p>\n
The government makes big contributions to global peace. We are
\nknown to be a pursuer of peace and a mediator in conflicts
\nbetween countries. Not only in ASEAN but even far away in Europe.<\/p>\n
A comprehensive peace settlement in the Middle East would be
\nvery difficult, if not impossible to achieve. There would have
\nbeen no peace with Egypt, the Palestinians or with Jordan if that
\nhad been a condition. Because every country has different issues.<\/p>\n
There are countries that were at war with Israel and now not
\nonly have diplomatic relations but also peace.<\/p>\n
Indonesia was never at war with Israel. So it is even easier,
\na short step, for Indonesia to establish diplomatic relations.<\/p>\n
Whether we do have diplomatic relations with Israel or not, we
\nhave to admit that Israel exists. So we have established de facto
\nrelations. Now, de jure, the world organization, the United
\nNations, has Israel as a member, which indirectly means that the
\nworld body, in the name of the countries of the world, recognizes
\nIsrael.<\/p>\n
There are of course certain groups that oppose peace with
\nIsrael for their own gain. In every country there are certain
\npeople or groups of people who always create problems
\n(terrorists, for example) and contradict their leaders. But this
\ndoes not make them right.<\/p>\n
I strongly believe that Indonesia can benefit economically and
\npolitically from diplomatic relations with Israel because,
\nalthough it is indeed a small market from the point of view of
\nhow much they can consume, we should consider how many of our
\nproducts Israel could sell to their buyers around the globe.<\/p>\n
Tourism would also benefit.<\/p>\n
Politically, our government knows better how to handle
\npolitics than us. So let us trust our government and leave it to
\nour leaders.<\/p>\n
We stand to gain, at the least, world peace. And we have
\nnothing to lose.<\/p>\n
When the Gatra writer says that Israel is a poor country, I
\ncannot help asking myself if that writer has any facts to support
\nhis statement. The writer should, please, visit Israel and he
\nwill change his mind.<\/p>\n
Israel has a population of only about five million, 50 percent
\nof whom are children or elderly people and another 20 percent
\ncivil servants, which leaves 30 percent of the population, or
\nabout 1,500,000 people, to pay taxes. Yet see what Israel has
\nachieved in the agricultural sector (on desert land), in
\ninfrastructure and in other fields. And this under the tremendous
\nfinancial strain of 47 years of war and defense. Imagine what
\nthat money could be used for if there was peace.<\/p>\n
I do not believe at all that Indonesia would be isolated from
\nthe international community, as argued by the Gatra writer.<\/p>\n
Did any country that made peace with Israel get isolated from
\nthe international community? Not at all. Moreover, we were never
\nat war with Israel.<\/p>\n
Finally, our forefather Abraham is the father of Ismail and of
\nIsrael.<\/p>\n
I believe that the common enemy is the one who objects to
\npeace between Israel and the Moslem world.<\/p>\n
EDWARD N.H. ABRAHAM<\/p>\n
Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/on-relations-with-israel-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }