Indonesian officials deny president will visit Israel
Prabowo Subianto’s was reported to be planning a trip that would mark a breakthrough in long-secret talks between the two nations.
Indonesian officials have denied reports that President Prabowo Subianto will arrive in Israel on Tuesday. According to the officials, Subianto will return home tomorrow after participating in the international summit on ending the Gaza war at Egypt’s Sharm El-Sheikh.
According to CNN Indonesia, the country’s Foreign Minister, Sugiono, says in a statement about the rumored visit: “It is not true. As originally planned, the president will return to Indonesia after the events in Egypt are concluded.”
Although Indonesia does not maintain formal diplomatic relations with Israel, Subianto made headlines at the United Nations last month when he declared: “We must recognize, respect, and guarantee the security of the State of Israel - only then will true peace be possible.”
On Sunday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu asked to postpone his testimony in his ongoing corruption trial, citing a high-level diplomatic meeting with an undisclosed figure.
Related articles:
The visit follows a series of prolonged secret contacts between Israel and Indonesia. Prior to the war, the two countries were reportedly close to reaching a diplomatic breakthrough.
Indonesia is the world’s largest Muslim-majority nation, and a visit of its president to Israel would mark an unprecedented step toward formalizing ties between the two countries.
