Religion Minister: Boycott of pro-Israel products is not a solution

Jakarta (ANTARA) — Religion Minister Nasaruddin Umar has said that boycott actions against products considered pro-Israel are not the way forward to address major issues in the Middle East, including Israeli aggression in Gaza.

According to him, boycott actions in fact create negative impacts on Indonesia’s business sector and workforce.

“When there are calls to boycott pro-Israel products, I am among those concerned. I know exactly what is happening there. But this boycott is not the way out,” said Nasaruddin during a gathering with Indonesia’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) in Jakarta on Friday.

The Religion Minister stated that as a result of the boycott, approximately 3,000 Indonesian employees have been made redundant from one fast-food restaurant chain.

“This means Muslims lose twice over. There, they are slaughtered; here, they are laid off,” he said.

He stressed that the business sector must receive support as it forms the backbone of the national economy.

“Without the business sector, Indonesia cannot possibly survive. Who pays the most taxes, who funds the operations of this country — it is business owners. If business owners are attacked from various sides, how can this nation grow?” he said.

The boycott movement has intensified since late 2023 as a form of solidarity with the Palestinian people and as an effort to pressure Israel from an economic standpoint.

In Indonesia, boycott campaigns have been widely carried out against a number of fast-food brands and beverages.