KUALA LUMPUR: Indonesia has refuted a report published by an Israeli newspaper suggesting that the republic plans to normalise ties with Israel as part of its bid to enter the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).
Its Foreign Affairs Ministry spokesman and special adviser, Lalu Muhammad Iqbal, yesterday confirmed that the Indonesian government has no plans to establish diplomatic relations with Israel.
Indonesia, he said, remains steadfast in supporting the independence of the Palestinian people within the framework of a two-state solution.
"Regarding the issue of opening diplomatic relations with Israel, I emphasize that there are currently no plans to establish diplomatic relations with Israel, especially amid Israel's atrocities in Gaza at present," Lalu was quoted as saying by Indonesian news portal, Tempo.co.
Israeli daily newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth, through its online outlet Ynet, reported that Indonesia will normalise ties with Israel in exchange for approval from Jerusalem of the republic's request to join the OECD.
The report, which quoted sources, said this follows three months of 'discreet negotiations' between Indonesia, Israel, and the OECD.
The report, which has since been picked up by other media outlets, claimed that Indonesia wishes to start the process of joining the OECD, which requires consensus and the establishment of diplomatic ties with all 38 member states of the global forum.
This is not the first time Indonesia has dismissed speculations suggesting that the republic had plans for official diplomatic relations with Israel.
An aide to Indonesian president Joko Widodo was quoted by Indonesian news agency Antara as saying that such a report was 'completely incorrect'.
Presidential Special Staff Coordinator Ari Dwipayana also said the Indonesian president did not send any special envoy to initiate talks with Israel.
