“The Indonesian government should stop its narrative regarding Indonesia’s readiness to accommodate sick Palestinians on Galang Island. The international media has created the impression that Indonesia’s position is very soft on Israel and the United States. This narrative also complicates the position of Arab countries, which have vehemently rejected the idea of relocating Gazans and full Israeli control over the Gaza Strip.”
Indonesia’s plan to relocate Palestinians affected by Israeli aggression to Galang Island has drawn intense criticism from experts, human rights activists, and Islamic leaders in Indonesia. Although couched in humanitarian terms and only approved by the Palestinian Authority and its Middle Eastern neighbors, many fear that Indonesia’s humanitarian initiative will benefit Israel and signal its alignment with President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s initiative to relocate Gazans.
While the rationale behind the Indonesian government’s plan appears to be very humane, the concern that Palestinians will not be allowed to return to their territories once they have recovered is entirely justified. Experience shows that since the displacement of over 800,000 Palestinians (the Nakba) on May 15, 1948, no Palestinian refugees have been allowed to re-enter the Palestinian territories. UNRW notes that over 5.3 million Palestinian refugees are currently living in limbo amidst an unending conflict.
President Prabowo himself first conveyed Indonesia’s idea on the occasion of his visit to countries in the Middle East and Turkey on April 9, 2025. In his statement, President Prabowo instructed Foreign Minister Sugiono to immediately hold talks with the Palestinian side and other related parties (Reuters, April 8, 2025; Strait Times, April 9, 2025; Arab News, April 9, 2025; Time of Israel, April 9, 2025).
In a Cabinet meeting on August 7, 2025, President Prabowo specifically directed the preparation of Galang Island to accommodate 2,000 wounded Gazans for treatment. The directive was conveyed by Hasnan Hasbi, the Head of the Presidential Office, to the press.
On the same day (August 7, 2025), Foreign Minister Sugiono stated that preparations for Galang Island to accommodate wounded Gazans were continuing. The Foreign Minister conveyed that during President Prabowo’s meeting with the Palestinian Authority, Palestine granted permission for its citizens to be treated in Indonesia. Permission from Palestine’s neighboring countries is still under discussion.
Why is Indonesia insisting on accommodating Gazans?
Print, electronic, and social media in Indonesia have been filled with criticism of the Indonesian government’s plan. Various speculations have emerged regarding Indonesia’s humanitarian initiative.
Some speculate that Indonesia’s proposal was used to support tariff negotiations with the United States. It’s suspected that the 19 percent reduction in import tariffs on Indonesian products was due to Indonesia’s promise to accommodate Palestinians in Indonesia.
Other speculation suggests that this plan was introduced to smooth Indonesia’s path to OECD membership. To become an OECD member, a prospective member must gain the support of all OECD members. Decisions on new membership are based on the principle of unanimous agreement (consensus). Israel is one of the 38 member countries of the OECD. It joined in 2010 as the 33rd member.
The talks with Israel are reportedly part of an effort to win Israel’s favor and secure Indonesia’s membership in the OECD. This speculation is not without basis. Rumors had previously circulated that Indonesia had held talks with Israel in 2024 regarding Israeli support for Indonesia’s OECD membership. Diplomatic relations with Israel are a prerequisite for Israeli support for Indonesia. President Prabowo Subianto once publicly stated that Indonesia would recognize Israel on the condition that Israel recognize Palestinian sovereignty. This statement seemed to imply that the 2024 negotiations with Israel had already taken place, necessitating a firm statement from the President himself. This signal seemed to confirm that Indonesia needed to demonstrate a friendly gesture toward Israel regarding the issue of sheltering Palestinians in Gaza.
Wild speculation even suggests that Indonesia received several incentives promised by the United States and Israel if it accepted the refugees from Gaza. This speculation is not without basis.
An international website, AXIOS (July 18, 2025), wrote an analysis of the collaboration between Israel and the United States to expel Palestinians from Gaza. It stated that the Israeli secret service, Mossad, led by David Barnea, had met with Washington official Steve Witkoff to convey his discussions with Ethiopia, Indonesia, and Libya in July 2025. It was stated in the conversation that the three countries were open to taking in large numbers of Gazans. Barnea proposed that the US provide incentives to the three countries.
The article also stated that senior Israeli officials noted that the transfer of Palestinians was voluntary and not forced, and that Israel was committed to allowing Palestinians to return to Gaza at any time. This commitment was made to build understanding with the three countries.
This speculation may not be entirely accurate. However, the humanitarian rationale underlying Indonesia’s initiative to accommodate Palestinians is difficult for the Indonesian public and the international community to digest.
The Narrative of Sheltering Gaza Victims Paves the Way for Relocation Ideas
There is a strong argument that Indonesia must immediately discontinue the narrative of its readiness to receive Gazans on Galang Island. Instead, Indonesia should make technical preparations while awaiting approval from the Palestinian Authority and its neighbors. Indonesia should put stronger pressure to oppose the agenda of relocating Gazans abroad.
The idea of a relocation agenda has met with widespread opposition in the international community. In this context, Israel and the United States must work together to find a way to signal their support for this controversial initiative.
International news coverage of Indonesia’s positive stance on accommodating Palestinians has been widely reported in various international media outlets. This news provides legitimacy for Israel and the United States to pursue the idea of relocating Gazans.
“International coverage of Indonesia’s positive stance…. gives legitimacy to Israel and the United States to pursue the idea of relocating Gazans.”
Indonesia was named as one of five countries approached by the United States and Israel to provide shelter for Gazans. Of the five countries, Indonesia was one of the two that showed interest in the idea.
The Times of Israel, for example, published a story with the headline “Israel said in talks with Indonesia, Libya, and three more countries about taking in Gazans.” Under the headline, it noted, “Somaliland, Uganda, and South Sudan also reportedly in discussions, with a diplomatic source telling Channel 12 Indonesia and Somaliland are particularly interested.” It also noted that Somaliland and Indonesia were particularly interested in the talks.
This support is, of course, critical for Israel to realize the idea of relocation, regardless of Indonesia’s reasons for placing more emphasis on treatment for injured citizens.
BBC News Indonesia (August 11, 2025) published a news story with the sarcastic title: “ The government wants to accommodate 2,000 Gazans on Galang Island – Is Indonesia helping Israel evacuate Gaza?” The BBC quoted the views of Hikmahanto Juwana, an expert in international law.
Indonesia’s role, consistently claiming to be a supporter of Palestinian independence, has been questioned. Like most Indonesians, the international community questions Indonesia’s position as a potential partner country for hosting Gaza residents, as does Israel.
What is happening in the international media is a propaganda and counter-propaganda war to pave the way for the idea of relocating Gazans and then complete Israeli control over the territory.
Indonesia’s seemingly open stance has become a prime target for the larger narrative surrounding the relocation agenda. Regardless of the truth of the news, Indonesia’s image has been negatively impacted in the eyes of the international community.
Blaming Palestine’s Neighboring Countries
Indonesia’s preconditions for accommodating Palestinians in Gaza could also negatively impact Arab countries that support Palestine, particularly Egypt and Jordan. In addition to obtaining permission from the Palestinian Authority, Indonesia requires neighboring countries to grant permission for Gazans to be brought to Indonesia. These conditions can be either technical or substantive. Technically, Indonesia needs a safe route for the evacuation of Gazans before they can be flown to Indonesia. By granting permission, neighboring countries are expected to facilitate the evacuation of Gazans.
Substantively, Indonesia needs support for its initiatives based on humanitarian considerations.
From the outset, Egypt, the closest country to Palestine, has opposed the relocation proposal proposed by President Trump and Prime Minister Netanyahu (Middle East Monitor, February 6, 2025). Egypt insists that rebuilding Gaza must proceed without relocating Palestinians. Palestinians will remain in Gaza for the duration of the five-year reconstruction plan (Strait Arrow News, February 14, 2025).
Jordan also shares the same position, opposing the idea of relocating two million Palestinians to neighboring countries. King Abdullah II conveyed his firm rejection directly to President Trump at the White House in Washington. The Jordanian leader even stated that Arab nations are united in opposing the US President’s plan to take over Gaza and relocate the Palestinian population (Qod International News Agency, February 12, 2025).
Of the two countries, Jordan would likely understand Indonesia’s good intentions in bringing sick Palestinian refugees to Indonesia. However, given Jordan’s strong opposition to the relocation idea, obtaining permission from Jordan may prove challenging.
If Palestine’s neighbors, including Arab states in general, accept Indonesia’s initiative, concerns will arise regarding Israel’s commitment to accepting Palestinians back to Gaza. In a climate of uncertainty regarding guarantees for Palestinian refugees’ return to their territory, the best position is to oppose the relocation of Palestinians under any pretext.
“In a situation of uncertainty regarding guarantees for Palestinian refugees to return to their territories, the best position is to oppose the relocation of Palestinians under any pretext.”
Such a rejection could create the impression that Ara
Skepticism of International Media News Denial
So far, international media have reported denials from Somaliland, South Sudan, and Indonesia, which Israel claims are in talks to resettle Gaza residents. On August 12, 2025, Somaliland denied reports of negotiations with Israel (WaryaTV, August 12, 2025). Somaliland will not agree to resettle Palestinian refugees in exchange for recognition by the United States and the international community as an independent state.
On August 13, 2025, South Sudan denied having held talks with Israel regarding the shelter of Palestinian refugees in the conflict-ridden country (Al Jazeera, August 13, 2025).
On August 14, 2025, the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs also denied any talks with Israel. Indonesia asserted that the humanitarian aid provided did not violate international agreements and ignored the prevailing political situation (Kompas, August 14, 2025).
Indonesia has repeatedly condemned Israel’s behavior in Gaza and openly opposed the idea of relocating Palestinians in Gaza.
However, Indonesia’s denial and opposition to the relocation idea continue to raise questions, even as preparations for sheltering Palestinians on Galang Island continue. Indonesia’s preparations have received widespread coverage in both national and international media. There is a perception that news of the preparations for shelter on Galang Island, with adequate health facilities, is undoubtedly good news for Israel and the United States. Indonesia will continue to be viewed as a key partner in the shared interests of the two countries.
“…the news about the preparation of Galang Island as a temporary shelter with adequate health facilities is certainly good news for Israel and the United States.”
Most Urgent Agenda
Amidst this challenging situation, the most pressing priority is ensuring that Palestinians in Gaza continue to receive adequate supplies of nutritious food. The Indonesian Hospital and other hospitals in Gaza must remain operational to treat patients who are ill. Therefore, international pressure must continue to be exerted on Israel to guarantee food availability and access to ongoing healthcare.
Despite the dire situation, Indonesia must be part of the international force opposing the Palestinian relocation agenda and complete Israeli and US control of Palestinian territory. Every loophole, no matter how small, that could allow for such an idea that would lead to a humanitarian disaster and war crimes must be closed.
“We must close every loophole, no matter how small, that could give way to ideas that would lead to humanitarian disasters and war crimes.”
References:
The Time of Israel (13 Agustus 2025). “Israel said in talks with Indonesia, Libya, 3 more countries about taking in Gazans” https://www.timesofisrael.com/israel-said-in-talks-with-indonesia-libya-3-more-countries-about-taking-in-gazans/
Indonesia ready to shelter Palestinians impacted by war in Gaza. https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/indonesia-ready-to-shelter-palestinians-impacted-by-war-in-gaza.
Indonesia president says ready to temporarily shelter Gazans, https://www.arabnews.com/node/2596391/world.
Time of Israel, 9 April 2025. Indonesia willing to temporarily house 1,000 refugees from Gaza
BBC News Indonesia. “Pemerintah hendak tampung 2.000 warga Gaza di Pulau Galang – Apakah Indonesia bantu Israel mengosongkan Gaza?” https://www.bbc.com/indonesia/articles/cdrk3vkepeno
Egypt rejects any ‘proposal’ to relocate Palestinians, calls for rebuilding Gaza
Jordan’s king rejects Trump plan to relocate Palestinians, https://qodsna.com/en/400421/Jordan’s-king-rejects-Trump-plan-to-relocate-Palestinians
Kompas, 14 Agustus 2025. “Kemlu nyatakan bahwa RI tidak ada pembicaraan dengan Israel” https://www.kompas.id/artikel/indonesia-tegaskan-tidak-ada-pembicaraan-dengan-israel-terkait-pemindahan-warga-gaza
Aljazeera (13 Agustus 2025). South Sudan denies Israel talks over forced transfer of Palestinians https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/8/13/israel-south-sudan-in-talks-over-forced-transfer-of-palestinians-report
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-864135
Axios (18 Juli 2025). “Scoop: Israel seeks U.S. help on deals to move Palestinians out of Gaza” https://www.axios.com/2025/07/18/israel-send-palestinians-gaza-indonesia-ethiopia
Strait Arrow News (14 Februari 2025). Egypt pushing 5-year plan to rebuild Gaza without relocating Palestinians.” https://san.com/cc/egypt-pushing-5-year-plan-to-rebuild-gaza-without-relocating-palestinians/
