CISFED Highlights Humanitarian Threats and Zionist Interests Penetration
REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA — The Center for Islamic Studies in Finance, Economics, and Development (CISFED) has called on the Indonesian government to take a firmer and more consistent position against Israel following the worsening humanitarian situation in Gaza and the West Bank of Palestine.
CISFED assesses that the conditions in Palestine have reached a deeply concerning level and show strong indications of violations of international law, including principles in the United Nations Charter, the Geneva Conventions, and the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court.
CISFED Chairman, Farouk Abdullah Alwyni, stated that the views of the International Court of Justice and the report of the UN Special Rapporteur for Palestine, Francesca Albanese, further underscore the importance of protecting Palestinian civilians and the need for global accountability for alleged humanitarian violations.
“The humanitarian situation in Gaza and the West Bank has reached a deeply concerning level, with strong indications of violations of international law,” said Farouk.
CISFED believes Indonesia must remain consistent in supporting Palestinian independence while rejecting Israeli military aggression against several countries in the Western Asia region, such as Lebanon, Syria, and Iran, which is seen as potentially expanding regional conflict.
“Indonesia needs to take a firm and consistent stance in supporting Palestinian independence and rejecting all forms of Israeli military aggression against Lebanon, Syria, and Iran, which could expand regional conflict,” CISFED stated.
The statement also highlights the direct impact of the conflict on Indonesia. It mentions the incident of Indonesian peacekeeping troops being killed and the takeover of the Indonesian Hospital in Gaza by Israeli forces as evidence that the conflict is no longer distant and abstract for Indonesian society.
“Interests, humanitarian symbols, and even the lives of Indonesian citizens have been affected by Israel’s expansionist Zionist policies. Therefore, Indonesia needs to take a firmer, more consistent stance based on humanitarian principles and international law,” CISFED continued.
In addition to geopolitical issues, CISFED also highlights the need for vigilance against the penetration of interests allegedly linked to Israeli Zionism in Indonesia’s economic and ideological political sectors.
One point highlighted is the presence of PT Ormat Geothermal Indonesia, which is said to have historical ties to Israel’s global corporate network. CISFED urges the government to enhance due diligence on foreign investments, especially in strategic sectors like energy.
“The government is encouraged to increase caution towards foreign investments and economic activities affiliated with Zionist Israeli interests, particularly in strategic sectors like energy,” CISFED stated.
The release also mentions public scrutiny of a former Israeli soldier named Shachar Gonen, who is reported to be running a property business in Bali. According to them, this raises discourse on the need for stricter oversight of foreign nationals’ activities with backgrounds of alleged involvement in humanitarian conflicts.
Furthermore, CISFED highlights the dynamics surrounding the cancellation of Palestinian figure Basem Naim’s visit to Indonesia. The release notes that Basem Naim is known for his contributions to establishing the Indonesian Hospital in Gaza, so his absence raises public questions about Indonesia’s consistency in supporting the Palestinian struggle.
On the other hand, CISFED reminds the public to be wary of the growing sectarian provocations, takfiri extremism, and the flow of Christian Zionism thought, which are seen as potentially divisive to national unity.
“The public needs to be wary of the growing sectarian provocations and takfiri extremism that could divide the ummah,” they wrote.
CISFED also assesses that experiences of conflict in Western Asia and South Asia show that internal conflicts can weaken the nation and hinder national progress.
“Indonesia is expected to remain steadfast on principles of justice and humanity, maintain internal unity, and not become part of global fragmentation, but rather a moral force driving the creation of a more just and dignified world,” the CISFED statement concluded.