The historic visit of the President of Indonesia, Prabuo Subianto, who was supposed to arrive at the end of the holiday and meet with Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, was indeed canceled, but political sources point out that the dialogue between the countries continues behind the scenes. In Jerusalem, cautious optimism prevails in the hope that the move, which was secretly hatched for months, will not go completely off the rails.
The planned visit, had it come to fruition, would have marked a dramatic turning point in relations between Israel and Indonesia, the world’s largest Muslim country, with which it does not maintain official diplomatic relations. About a year and a half after the reports of normalization talks between the two countries began, it seemed that the parties were closer than ever to an agreement, when extraordinary public voices were heard for the first time from the direction of Jakarta, also on the UN stage.
Sovianto, in a speech he delivered at the last general assembly, greeted “peace” in Hebrew, called for a two-state solution and made it clear that “Israel’s security must be guaranteed in order to achieve true peace.” Political officials in Jerusalem saw in his words a clear signal of an emerging political move, for which the visit in question was supposed to serve as a major milestone.
In the meantime, although official relations have not yet been established, the quiet warming between the countries arouses interest not only at the political level, but also among many Israelis, who hope that future normalization will finally make it possible to visit one of the most exotic, diverse and fascinating countries in the world, where the island of Bali is located (Bali). However, it is important to note that this is still a developing story. Neither government has made official announcements, and the road to normalization may be complex. Public opinion in Indonesia is divided on the issue, with some citizens expressing support for ties with Israel, while others strongly oppose it.
If the reports are true, this potential normalization would be a significant diplomatic achievement for Israel, following similar agreements with several Muslim countries in recent years. It would also be a historic step for Indonesia, which would open doors to increased economic cooperation and could influence the broader discourse surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Until the diplomatic negotiations are resolved, if at all, Israeli passport holders will continue to face an obstacle when it comes to visiting this paradise country in Southeast Asia. Due to the lack of diplomatic relations, Israelis are not allowed to receive tourist visas for Indonesia, except under certain conditions such as in organized and pre-coordinated groups. Also, Israelis with foreign passports can indeed travel in the island nation, but should still exercise extra caution and remember that there is no Israeli embassy throughout the country.
walk in paradise
With over 17 thousand islands, Indonesia is the largest archipelago country in the world. Home to over 261 million people, it boasts spectacular views, stunning beaches, delicious food and affordable prices. A trip to Indonesia is actually a journey between diverse landscapes and an ancient and rich culture, influenced by the different religions of the peoples who live there.
In 2019, a year before the corona virus, about 16 million tourists arrived in Indonesia, most of them from the surrounding countries such as Malaysia, China, Singapore and Australia. The Indonesian island of Bali is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world, but the number of visitors to it is still low compared to the period before the corona virus, when about 6.5 million tourists came to the place a year. At the same time, last year tourism to the island began to return to similar levels before the epidemic, with about 5 million visitors visiting Bali.
Apart from Bali, Indonesia has several other interesting places: the islands of Komodo, Sumatra and Sulawesi are great places to view exotic wildlife, while Sumba (Sumba) The lesser known has white sand beaches and rolling green hills. Java, the most populated island, has some stunning volcanic landscapes and ancient Hindu temples.
Security tensions and endless struggles
Indonesia has been struggling with extremist terrorist activity ever since its independence from the Netherlands in 1949. Under President Suharto’s 32-year dictatorship, the Indonesian government suppressed extremist movements such as Darul Islam (Darul Islam)from which the Islamist terrorist organization Jama’ah Islamiyah (JI) emerged. After the fall of Suharto in 1998, Indonesian Muslims who had traveled to join the fight against the Soviet Union in Afghanistan in the 1980s returned to Indonesia and formed various militant groups.
Indonesian extremist groups launched many attacks in the country, with the JI organization carrying out most of the terrorist acts in Indonesia. The jihadist group experienced a period of relative inactivity after a strong crackdown by the Indonesian government in the early 2000s. ISIS has taken advantage of the existing Islamist networks in Indonesia to increase its recruitment efforts and carry out attacks in the country. Indonesia leads Asian countries in the number of foreign fighters in Iraq and Syria, and although some Indonesian foreign fighters sided with Jabhat Fatah al-Sham (formerly Jabhat al-Nusra), the majority joined the ranks of ISIS.
The Indonesian government has passed a series of domestic anti-terrorism laws and established regional alliances to deal with extremists. Since the Bali attacks in 2002 and 2005, Indonesia has sought to improve its legislative and law enforcement capabilities to dismantle large extremist networks operating in the country. Indonesia prosecuted more than 700 terror suspects between 2002 and 2015, with a conviction rate of nearly 100 percent. In addition, the government promotes social welfare, de-radicalization and rehabilitation programs for extremists.
Today, Indonesia is considered a country that is quite safe to travel in, without unusual events that clearly threaten foreigners who come to it. The recommendation of most countries of the world to their citizens is to stay in the more rural areas of the country and in districts that are clearly identified with extremist movements. Now natural disasters, which occur quite frequently, are considered the main danger for locals and tourists in the island nation.
According to the reports, Indonesia, the country with the largest Muslim population in the world, has no active hand in the Arab struggle against the State of Israel. However, there are still no direct diplomatic relations between the countries, but it is claimed that there are various channels of trade between them that generate hundreds of millions of dollars a year. As mentioned, tourists from Israel must submit a special application to enter the country, but this is not at all guaranteed, takes quite a bit of time and those who do not have a foreign passport will probably have to see it through a screen in the meantime.
Tremendous landscapes, busy cities and addictive peace
Indonesia declared independence in 1945, having previously been ruled by the British, Portuguese, Japanese and Dutch. Naturally, a rich cultural mix was created that brought with it the West to the East, the preservation of tradition on the one hand and a relative openness to Western characteristics, including the country’s rich cuisine.
Surabaya (Surabaya), a vibrant port city and the capital city of the island of East Java, wonderfully combines modernity with old colonial charm. Dotted with contemporary high-rise buildings with canals on one side and Dutch buildings on the other, it is known as the “City of Heroes” (Kota Pahlawan). It is the second largest city in Indonesia and has a rich history due to being the birthplace of Indonesia’s independence movement.
Surabaya has attractive archaeological sites within short distances and impressive ethnic food. For tourists, the city has zoological gardens and the Sampoerna Museum, which displays local and national cultural items and history. From here you can also go on trips and explore the island of Madura (Madura) To experience the excitement of a local bull run. It is the best base for exploring the main attractions of East Java Island, including the popular Mount Bromo, the natural landscape of the Aigen Plateau (Ijen Plateau)and the mountain resorts of Malang (Malang).
the city Sabang (Sabang), which includes the main island of Weh and several smaller islands, is located just off the northern tip of the volcanic island of Sumatra. Sabang is surrounded by pristine coral reefs that offer a wonderful opportunity for snorkeling and diving in the clear blue waters of the area. One of the best experiences here is visiting the wonderful Sumur Tiga beach, which is only 5 kilometers east of the city.
Also in the city area is the island a rifle (Ruby) The least crowded and relaxed. Here the tourists can see the exotic underwater life. Sabang also has a mix of old colonial villas and traditional fishing villages that have a relaxing feel. It is an ideal place to simply relax and unwind in front of the views.
Located on the island of Lombok, 64 km east of Bali, to explain (Sheet) It is a sprawling port and capital city with a number of delights including some stunning beaches. From Lambar port you can visit the peaceful temples and well-kept gardens of Mataram (Mataram), in the bays azure surrounded by lush hills, and from here you can also reach the popular Kuta and Gili islands.
Home to a UNESCO World Heritage Site – Komodo National Park, the island Comodo The tiny (Komodo) is home to the large and terrifying lizards endemic to the island. White sand beaches, green grass and steep hill slopes make for a wonderful sight. Komodo has a beach that has pink colored sand, and is one of the main attractions here. The tourists can rest and relax in the tropical atmosphere of Komodo, or go on treks and guided tours on the east coast.
There are budget eco-friendly resorts in Komodo Island. The island is also known for its diving and snorkeling sites to explore the colorful coral reefs. A wildlife safari in Komodo National Park is a must, and along with the popularity of dragon lizards, it has several other animals and over 150 species of birds. Sea turtles, seals, whales and badgers are some of the animals that can be seen, with the national park also having several resorts that combine wildlife viewing.
Indonesia’s busiest port outside of Java, Balvan (Belawan) is located on the island of Sumatra. From Balwan port, you should visit the city from Dan (Medan) due to its amazing Chinese and Dutch architectures belonging to the colonial era. Here you can also buy handicrafts, carved figures, antiques, textiles and baskets. The city is also the gateway to the largest volcanic lake in the world – Lake Tova (Toba), and a thriving orangutan sanctuary and Balwan Waterfall. In this area you should enjoy a cruise to and from Balwan, savor the magnificent local cuisine and visit the museums.
The beautiful Indonesian island Bali (Bali) is famous for many things such as traditional rice fields, amazing coral reefs, peaceful beaches and forested volcanic mountains. The island is dotted with a number of sacred sites including the Uluwatu temple, which is placed on the side of a cliff. Some of the great resort towns in Bali are Seminyak, Nusa Dua and Sanuk.
Bali’s peaceful surroundings are ideal for some fruitful yoga and meditation sessions. The island also has popular resorts, world-renowned golf and surfing and diving sites. The people of Bali are known to follow the Balinese tradition and this is what sets them apart from the rest of Indonesia. They have their own dances, crafts, temples and rituals, showing a culture with strong roots.
Located between Bali and Sumatra, the island Java (Java) adorned with volcanoes, blessed with some wonderful archeological sites, amazing beauty, several megacities, deep traditions in art and creation, and the performing arts. The pristine beaches, smoky volcanoes, savannah grasslands and dense forests are all magical and make Java one of the top tourist destinations in Indonesia, combined with some of the country’s greatest temples.
the capital city Jakarta (Jakarta) sprawling on the island of Java, is a place where many things happen at the same time. While on the one hand there are modern restaurants, clubs and malls, on the other hand, the city also preserves its history through the historical town of Kuta (Kota) and well maintained museums. The place is also known for its tourist-friendly citizens.
From Jakarta you can reach a group of tiny islands, called Pulau Seribu or the Thousand Islands, a famous tourist haven that offers unforgettable snorkeling and swimming experiences. To the south of it are the impressive volcanoes of Pangrango and Gede.