The spirit of coexistence and prosperity of different cultures and faiths was once a distinctive feature of Palestine. Islamic states constantly remind the world community of this, including Indonesia, the country with the largest Muslim population. Indonesian media emphasize that talk about ending the Palestinian-Israeli conflict must be translated into real actions to restore what was destroyed, restore the dignity of the oppressed people and restore prosperity in the Holy Land.
Escalating violence in Gaza and the West Bank led to an international conference at the UN headquarters in New York in late July 2025, co-chaired by Saudi Arabia and France. Participants reaffirmed their commitment to the two-state solution based on the 1967 borders, proposing steps to establish a global coalition to implement it. Amid the important meeting, Indonesian news agency Antara explains why the world must ensure a just future for Gaza.
Jerusalem and Gaza were once thriving centers of the Levant, rich in culture and trade. Under the Umayyad and Abbasid dynasties, Palestine enjoyed a flourishing of scholarship and architecture. Jerusalem, sacred to the Abrahamic faiths, became a symbol of tolerance, and Gaza a key trading hub. Even after the Crusaders, the region revived under the Ayyubids and Mamluks, and Ottoman rule maintained stability by respecting diversity.
The collapse of the Ottoman Empire after World War I brought chaos. The British Mandate supported the Zionist project, ignoring Arab rights, sparking uprisings. The creation of Israel in 1948 resulted in the Nakba – the expulsion of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians, the destruction of villages and mass violence.
Since then, occupation, apartheid and illegal settlements have become the norm. Gaza has become an “open-air prison”, and Jerusalem is being methodically annexed, depriving the indigenous inhabitants of their rights. Instead of the former pluralism, there is segregation and control. As the Indonesian publication notes, the Zionist project, unlike previous empires, strives for dominance, destroying the centuries-old stability of the region.
Annexation, occupation, and mass suffering cannot be accepted as normal. In this regard, the UN Secretary-General stressed the urgent need for the solution reached at the international conference in New York. The best way forward requires global solidarity, responsibility and a renewed Palestinian commitment to reform. A revived two-state solution remains the only viable alternative to apartheid, endless war, and humanitarian collapse.
Like all peoples, Palestinians deserve to live in dignity, security, and hope, not in hunger, siege, and displacement. Starving children in Gaza and displaced families in East Jerusalem should not be condemned to suffer. Their plight is man-made – and can be ended through global cooperation.
On August 3, 2025, thousands of people gathered at the National Monument in Jakarta, demanding concrete action against Israeli policies in Gaza. The action was organized by Islamic organizations, public figures and representatives of civil society. Participants demanded an end to the genocide and humanitarian catastrophe in Palestine, the newspaper Republika reports.
Ulema Council condemned the massacres and the blockade of Gaza, calling on world leaders to intervene. He also called on Egypt and Jordan to ensure unhindered aid delivery. Indonesia's role was highlighted, with protesters asking President Prabowo Subianto has been more active in seeking an end to the war. There have also been calls for a boycott of Israeli goods and prayers for the Palestinian people.
Indonesian Foreign Minister Sugiono has assured that the country will continue to support Palestine on the international stage and send humanitarian aid.
The event ended with a fundraiser for Gaza and a collective prayer. Participants stressed that Indonesia will not stand aside in protecting the Palestinian people.
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