Should RI forge ties with Israel?<\/p>\n
By Riza Sihbudi<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): On his return from a visit to Jordan last month,
\nPresident Soeharto appealed to Indonesia's Moslem community to
\nperform haj pilgrimage, the fifth tenet of Islam, only once.<\/p>\n
The number of Indonesian haj candidates has been increasing
\nover the years beyond the quota set by the Saudi government.<\/p>\n
The President has recommended instead that Indonesian Moslems
\nstep up their umrah pilgrimage during the fasting month,
\nRamadhan. They can make a pilgrimage to the Al Aqsa Mosque in the
\nholy city of Jerusalem (Al Quds), via Amman, Jordan. The
\nPresident said his call should also apply to Indonesian
\nChristians who want to make their pilgrimage to Christian holy
\nplaces in Israel.<\/p>\n
Soeharto's recommendation carries with it economic and
\npolitical implications wider than mere spiritual appeal. His
\nrecommendation is part of an agreement reached between him and
\nKing Hussein to step up bilateral economic relations between
\nIndonesia and Jordan. Garuda Indonesia, the Indonesian flag
\ncarrier, for example, plans to open a direct flight between
\nJakarta and Amman, which so far has only been served by the Royal
\nJordanian Airlines.<\/p>\n
If this plan takes shape, more Indonesian tourists will travel
\nto Jordan, and more Jordanians will visit Indonesia. Increased
\ntourism travel will increase the foreign exchange revenues of
\nboth countries.<\/p>\n
The other economic-political aspect of the recommendation is
\nlinked to Indonesia-Israel relations. Soeharto's appeal implies
\nthat Jakarta is making a move toward establishing official
\nrelations with Israel. Why?<\/p>\n
Up to now -- and no one knows until when -- parts of Jerusalem
\nremain under Israel's control. Therefore, if Indonesians of any
\ncreed visit Jerusalem via Amman in great numbers, not only
\nJordan, but Israel, will benefit from it. In such a situation
\nIsrael would profit, both economically and politically, more than
\nJordan. Tourists will stay longer in Jerusalem because of its
\nreligious and historical value, while Jordan can offer only the
\nusual tourist fare of the Dead Sea and Petra.<\/p>\n
Prominent Indonesian Moslems are concerned that if more
\nIndonesians visit Jerusalem they will become sympathetic toward
\nIsrael, which manages this holy city. People may forget the
\nPalestinians' struggle to recapture Jerusalem. Perhaps they will
\nfear that if the holy city is returned to Palestine, they will no
\nlonger be able to enjoy its beauty.<\/p>\n
Indonesia has long been known as a consistent defender of the
\nPalestinian struggle against the Israeli occupation of the Arab
\nlands. If Israel gains politically and economically (thanks to
\nthe \"invasion\" of Indonesian tourists), it becomes less likely
\nthat the Jewish state will return Jerusalem to the Palestinians.<\/p>\n
Perhaps this concern is justified, perhaps not. What is more
\ninteresting to study is the political speculation over Indonesia-
\nIsrael relations behind President Soeharto's statement. It is
\nrumored that after Israel failed to accelerate the establishment
\nof relations with Indonesia - among others through two meetings
\nbetween President Soeharto and prime minister Yitzhak Rabin in
\nJakarta (1993) and New York (1995) - it is now endeavoring to
\nmake use of the Jordanian channel. Jordan is the second Arab
\ncountry after Egypt which has recognized Israel and made peace
\nwith the Jewish state.<\/p>\n
Whether the Jordanian channel is more effective remains a
\nquestion. It is certain that Israel has never given up hope on
\nestablishing official relations with Jakarta. So far, Indonesia-
\nIsrael relations have been conducted largely in secret. The Far
\nEastern Economic Review (May 30, 1996) reported that Indonesian
\ntroops successfully freed a number of hostages in Irian Jaya in
\npart because of most sophisticated military equipment which
\n\"Jakarta received from Israel\". The report has never been refuted
\nopenly by the Indonesian government.<\/p>\n
Moreover, it is no longer a secret that an Israeli senior
\ndiplomat assigned to an ASEAN country visits Jakarta fairly
\noften. Indonesia has also openly received athletes from Israel
\nseveral times.<\/p>\n
What then, are the advantages and the drawbacks if Jakarta
\nmakes the relations with Tel Aviv official? Economically
\nspeaking, Indonesia will not profit from establishing relations
\nwith Israel. The Jewish state has a population of only 4.9
\nmillion, which is not large enough to be a significant market for
\nIndonesian products.<\/p>\n
Moreover, by establishing relations with Israel, would
\nIndonesia be violating its own constitution, which opposes \"all
\nforms of colonization on earth\". (Is Israel not occupying
\nArab\/Palestinian territory right now?).<\/p>\n
There are benefits, of course. Considering Israel's strong
\nties with America and other Western countries, if Jakarta makes
\nits relations with Tel Aviv official, it is possible that its
\nbargaining position in the West will also improve. And, possible
\nthat the official establishment of R.I.-Israeli relations would
\npersuade American lobbyists to halt the anti-Indonesia campaign
\nin the matter of East Timor.<\/p>\n
Personally, if I had to choose between opening and not opening
\ndiplomatic relations with Israel, I would choose the second
\nalternative.<\/p>\n
However, if the option is between the official opening of
\nrelations or covert relations, the first alternative is clearly
\npreferable. For the sake of political education, the people
\nshould not be continuously deceived, and covert relations with
\nIsrael is tantamount to deception.<\/p>\n
The problem is, are our decision-makers capable of convincing
\nour community on this matter?<\/p>\n
The writer is a researcher at the Indonesian Institute of
\nSciences.<\/p>",
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