Indonesian religious groups reject govt's Gaza plan - UCA News (2025)

Religious organizations in Indonesia have rejected a government plan to temporarily give shelter to Palestinians from Gaza, saying the move would help support Israel's agenda.

Reverend Johan Kristantara, executive secretary of the Witness and Integrity of Creation office of the Union of Churches in Indonesia (PGI) — a Protestant group — warned the government to be careful.

"This idea certainly requires more in-depth study, it’s not to be done carelessly," he said in a statement on April16.

Kristantara said that although the PGI strongly condemns Israel's actions against Palestinian people in Gaza, the government needs to pay attention to international law to be able to realize this plan.

"There are consequences that need to be carefully considered by the Indonesian government," he said.

The plan was originally mooted by President Prabowo Subianto on April 9 before leaving to visit several Middle Eastern countries — the United Arab Emirates, Turkey, Qatar, Egypt, and Jordan.

"We are ready to send planes to transport them. We estimate the numbers may be 1,000 for the first wave," he said.

Wounded Palestinians and "traumatized, orphaned children" would be prioritized, he said, adding that they would remain in Indonesia until they had recovered and it was safe for their return.

In a statement on April 15, Human Rights Minister Natalius Pigai expressed support for the plan, claiming it was in line with the 1945 Constitution that says Indonesia should participate in creating world peace.

Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs Budi Gunawan said on April 15 that Subianto would discuss the plan with his cabinet.

However, Ulil Abshar Abdalla from Nahdlatul Ulama —the country’s largest Muslim organization with 80 million members — called the plan a "mistake" and "inappropriate."

"We must, with all our efforts, continue to help Palestinian people, especially Gazans who remain in Gaza," he said.

The relocation, he said, panders to the ambition of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

"Indeed, Netanyahu's main mission is to empty Gaza of Palestinians. So, if we also relocate Gazans, yes, that would be fatal," he said.

Anwar Abbas from Muhammadiyah, the country’s second-largest Islamic organization, said the Indonesian government “should not dream that Israel will accept the evacuated Gazans back.”

He said assistance for the injured and traumatized must be provided in Gaza, not in Indonesia.

Nearly 400,000 Gaza residents have been displaced in the weeks since Israel resumed military operations in the territory last month, according to the United Nations.

Indonesia, the world's most populous Muslim nation, has consistently called for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

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