Should RI forge ties with Israel?

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.