Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto said Wednesday he would consider diplomatic ties with Israel only if it recognized a Palestinian state, speaking during talks with French President Emmanuel Macron in Jakarta.
Indonesia, the world's most populous Muslim-majority nation, has no formal ties with Israel and has consistently called for a two-state solution to the decadeslong conflict.
"On various occasions, I have said that Indonesia sees that two-state solution and the freedom of Palestine is the only way to achieve the true peace," he told a news conference.
"I also emphasized that we must acknowledge and guarantee Israel's rights as a sovereign country that must be paid attention to and guaranteed safety."
"Indonesia has stated that once Israel recognizes Palestine, Indonesia is ready to recognize Israel and open the diplomatic relationship."
In a joint statement, France and Indonesia called for progress on "mutual recognition" between Israel and the Palestinians at an international conference meant to resurrect the idea of a two-state solution next month which Paris will co-chair.
"The conference should ... restore a political prospect of a peaceful settlement of this conflict, which should allow for an irreversible path toward the realization of a Palestinian State, (and) mutual recognition between Israel and Palestine," they said.
Support for the Palestinian cause runs high in Indonesia and the issue regularly prompts protests.
In 2023, FIFA stripped Indonesia as the Under-20 World Cup hosts after some prominent politicians called for Israel to be kicked out of the tournament and refused to host its team.
