Should RI forge ties with Israel?

By Riza Sihbudi

JAKARTA (JP): On his return from a visit to Jordan last month, President Soeharto appealed to Indonesia's Moslem community to perform haj pilgrimage, the fifth tenet of Islam, only once.

The number of Indonesian haj candidates has been increasing over the years beyond the quota set by the Saudi government.

The President has recommended instead that Indonesian Moslems step up their umrah pilgrimage during the fasting month, Ramadhan. They can make a pilgrimage to the Al Aqsa Mosque in the holy city of Jerusalem (Al Quds), via Amman, Jordan. The President said his call should also apply to Indonesian Christians who want to make their pilgrimage to Christian holy places in Israel.

Soeharto's recommendation carries with it economic and political implications wider than mere spiritual appeal. His recommendation is part of an agreement reached between him and King Hussein to step up bilateral economic relations between Indonesia and Jordan. Garuda Indonesia, the Indonesian flag carrier, for example, plans to open a direct flight between Jakarta and Amman, which so far has only been served by the Royal Jordanian Airlines.

If this plan takes shape, more Indonesian tourists will travel to Jordan, and more Jordanians will visit Indonesia. Increased tourism travel will increase the foreign exchange revenues of both countries.

The other economic-political aspect of the recommendation is linked to Indonesia-Israel relations. Soeharto's appeal implies that Jakarta is making a move toward establishing official relations with Israel. Why?

Up to now -- and no one knows until when -- parts of Jerusalem remain under Israel's control. Therefore, if Indonesians of any creed visit Jerusalem via Amman in great numbers, not only Jordan, but Israel, will benefit from it. In such a situation Israel would profit, both economically and politically, more than Jordan. Tourists will stay longer in Jerusalem because of its religious and historical value, while Jordan can offer only the usual tourist fare of the Dead Sea and Petra.

Prominent Indonesian Moslems are concerned that if more Indonesians visit Jerusalem they will become sympathetic toward Israel, which manages this holy city. People may forget the Palestinians' struggle to recapture Jerusalem. Perhaps they will fear that if the holy city is returned to Palestine, they will no longer be able to enjoy its beauty.

Indonesia has long been known as a consistent defender of the Palestinian struggle against the Israeli occupation of the Arab lands. If Israel gains politically and economically (thanks to the "invasion" of Indonesian tourists), it becomes less likely that the Jewish state will return Jerusalem to the Palestinians.

Perhaps this concern is justified, perhaps not. What is more interesting to study is the political speculation over Indonesia- Israel relations behind President Soeharto's statement. It is rumored that after Israel failed to accelerate the establishment of relations with Indonesia - among others through two meetings between President Soeharto and prime minister Yitzhak Rabin in Jakarta (1993) and New York (1995) - it is now endeavoring to make use of the Jordanian channel. Jordan is the second Arab country after Egypt which has recognized Israel and made peace with the Jewish state.

Whether the Jordanian channel is more effective remains a question. It is certain that Israel has never given up hope on establishing official relations with Jakarta. So far, Indonesia- Israel relations have been conducted largely in secret. The Far Eastern Economic Review (May 30, 1996) reported that Indonesian troops successfully freed a number of hostages in Irian Jaya in part because of most sophisticated military equipment which "Jakarta received from Israel". The report has never been refuted openly by the Indonesian government.

Moreover, it is no longer a secret that an Israeli senior diplomat assigned to an ASEAN country visits Jakarta fairly often. Indonesia has also openly received athletes from Israel several times.

What then, are the advantages and the drawbacks if Jakarta makes the relations with Tel Aviv official? Economically speaking, Indonesia will not profit from establishing relations with Israel. The Jewish state has a population of only 4.9 million, which is not large enough to be a significant market for Indonesian products.

Moreover, by establishing relations with Israel, would Indonesia be violating its own constitution, which opposes "all forms of colonization on earth". (Is Israel not occupying Arab/Palestinian territory right now?).

There are benefits, of course. Considering Israel's strong ties with America and other Western countries, if Jakarta makes its relations with Tel Aviv official, it is possible that its bargaining position in the West will also improve. And, possible that the official establishment of R.I.-Israeli relations would persuade American lobbyists to halt the anti-Indonesia campaign in the matter of East Timor.

Personally, if I had to choose between opening and not opening diplomatic relations with Israel, I would choose the second alternative.

However, if the option is between the official opening of relations or covert relations, the first alternative is clearly preferable. For the sake of political education, the people should not be continuously deceived, and covert relations with Israel is tantamount to deception.

The problem is, are our decision-makers capable of convincing our community on this matter?

The writer is a researcher at the Indonesian Institute of Sciences.