Indonesia Must Not Become a Platform for Israeli Business
Israeli companies are increasingly using Indonesia’s locations, creative talent and commercial networks to promote their businesses, despite Jakarta’s longstanding refusal to establish diplomatic relations with Israel and its support for Palestinian rights.
The article highlights Israeli eyewear company SwiftOptics, which has produced promotional content in Indonesia, including footage filmed in Nias. The growing commercial presence, the author argues, deserves greater scrutiny because business activity can gradually create the conditions for normalising relations with Israel.
Indonesia’s restrictions on Israeli citizens also appear to have loopholes. Israeli nationals require a special “calling visa”, yet Israel has reportedly ranked among the largest groups receiving such visas. Israeli citizens may also enter using passports from other countries, making their Israeli nationality less visible in immigration records.
The author argues that Jakarta should examine Israeli-linked advertising, investment, partnerships and business operations, while investigating whether foreign passports or corporate structures are being used to bypass existing restrictions.
The central argument is that Indonesia’s support for Palestine should extend beyond diplomatic statements. Jakarta should ensure that its commercial policies do not allow Israeli businesses to establish a normal and permanent presence in the country while the Israeli-Palestinian conflict continues.
