Indonesia Rejects Trump's Idea on Gaza

JAKARTA, KOMPAS — Indonesia has once again voiced its opinion regarding the proposal by United States President Donald Trump about Gaza. Indonesia rejects the idea of forcibly relocating Palestinians from Gaza.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia issued this stance on Wednesday night (February 5, 2025). The written statement was delivered less than a day after Trump once again expressed his views on Gaza.

"Indonesia firmly rejects any efforts to forcibly relocate Palestinian residents or alter the demographic composition of the Occupied Palestinian Territories," stated the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia.

In the statement, it was mentioned that the relocation of Palestinian residents from Gaza would hinder the realization of an independent and sovereign Palestinian State. In fact, the independence of Palestine with borders according to the 1967 conditions is part of the realization of the Two-State Solution.

"Indonesia calls on the international community to ensure respect for international law, particularly the Palestinian people's right to self-determination and their fundamental right to return to their homeland," continued the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in its statement.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia emphasized that the only viable path towards lasting peace in the region is by addressing the root causes of the conflict. That root cause is the illegal and prolonged occupation by Israel of Palestinian territories.

Previously, Trump stated that the US wants to take over the Gaza Strip and rebuild the area after the Palestinian residents are relocated. "The US will take over the Gaza Strip and we will do something with it," said Trump in a joint press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Tuesday afternoon Washington DC time or early Wednesday morning WIB.

In fact, he does not rule out the possibility of sending US troops to Gaza. So far, the US administration from any faction, including Trump during his first term from 2017-2021, has rejected the deployment of troops to Gaza. "As long as Gaza is a concern, we will do what is necessary," he said on Tuesday.

Asked who would live in the Gaza Strip, he said it could be home to “world citizens.” But in quotes reported by AFP, Trump suggested the area was not built for Palestinians.

"This should not be a rebuilding process and be occupied by the same people ... who lived there and died there and lived in horrific conditions there," Trump said, as quoted by AFP.

Before the statement, Trump had already made a surprise. He proposed the permanent transfer of Palestinians from Gaza to neighboring countries. Trump had named Egypt and Jordan as possible destinations for Gazans.

Trump is betting that Egypt and Jordan will do his bidding, as both countries receive huge amounts of US aid.

Some critics say Trump's expansionist rhetoric harkens back to old-style imperialism. Such rhetoric could serve as an affirmation for Russia's invasion of Ukraine and a justification for China to invade Taiwan. (AP/AFP/REUTERS)