OPINION:
How can a nation that refuses to recognize Israel be trusted to have heavily armed soldiers in the Gaza Strip (“Indonesia says 8,000 troops ready for possible peacekeeping mission in Gaza by June,” Web, Feb. 15)? This is the question Americans who care about the future of the Middle East should be asking.
Indonesian army officials have now said that their soldiers will arrive in Gaza within weeks. Allowing Indonesian soldiers, even the troops Indonesia claims have been trained to be peacekeepers, to deploy in Gaza would be a tremendous strategic mistake for Israel and the U.S.
Indonesia does not recognize Israel, has never had diplomatic relations with Israel and has consistently voted against the U.S. and Israel at the United Nations. The proposed deployment is not in the best interest of either the United States or Israel.
There’s still time to prevent it.
The government of Indonesia has no official relationship with Israel, and this position has remained unchanged for decades. Jakarta maintains a foreign policy posture rooted in rejecting Israel as a legitimate nation. Indonesia has no embassy in Israel.
This lack of diplomatic relations is not some small thing; it is a deliberate Indonesian policy that signals serious national opposition to Israel’s very existence. Peacekeepers must be trusted by all sides if they are to function effectively.
Given Indonesia’s policies, Israel cannot reasonably be expected to view these soldiers as neutral forces. Nor should the United States do so.
MOSHE PHILLIPS
National chairman, Americans For A Safe Israel
New York, New York
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