(Singapore, 13th) With Trump recently announcing a new “peace plan” accompanied by Netanyahu, all Southeast Asian governments will have to further clarify their positions, as this plan effectively negates the possibility of establishing a sovereign Palestinian state in the near future.
At the recent United Nations General Assembly held in New York, Timor-Leste, Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, and the Philippines all reiterated their support for the two-state solution.
In his speech, Indonesian President Prabowo said: “Lastly, I would like to reiterate Indonesia’s full support for the two-state solution. We must establish an independent Palestinian state, while also recognizing and ensuring Israel’s security. Only then can we achieve genuine peace: peace without hatred, peace without suspicion.” These Southeast Asian maritime nations all expressed the same stance.
Despite the consistent position, there are disagreements among these countries regarding which two states—Israel and Palestine—should currently be recognized. The Philippines has supported Israel since its founding and has already recognized Israel; Singapore has done the same. The Philippines and Singapore have not recognized the State of Palestine, whereas Malaysia, Indonesia, and Timor-Leste have recognized Palestine. During the UN General Assembly, when Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu gave his speech, the delegations of Timor-Leste, Indonesia, and Malaysia collectively walked out, while those of the Philippines and Singapore did not.
Facing the current conflict, all countries are confronted with the challenge of expressing their stance on the path forward. Within this framework, national positions differ as well. Singapore’s position is clearly stated: only when Palestine has a “credible and effective government,” explicitly renounces terrorism, and recognizes Israel’s existence will Singapore recognize the State of Palestine. However, Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan cautioned: “If the situation continues to deteriorate or if Israel takes further measures to smother the two-state solution, we will have to reconsider the timing of recognizing the State of Palestine.”
Many Western countries, including Australia—a neighboring country to Southeast Asia—formerly held positions similar to Singapore’s, but due to Israel’s hardline actions in continuing and expanding its occupation of Gaza and the West Bank, these countries have sped up their recognition of the State of Palestine and have announced this stance at the UN General Assembly as a response. However, their recognition comes with conditions: Hamas must be excluded from the government and be disarmed.
On the other hand, Prabowo said that if Israel recognizes Palestine, Indonesia will also recognize Israel. At the UN high-level international conference for the peaceful resolution of the Palestinian issue and implementation of the two-state solution, Prabowo declared: “We must ensure the establishment of the State of Palestine, but Indonesia also emphasizes that as long as Israel recognizes Palestine’s independence, Indonesia will immediately recognize the State of Israel and support all measures that guarantee Israel’s security.”
Southeast Asian maritime nations have unanimously called for a ceasefire, an end to violence, comprehensive opening of humanitarian aid corridors, and demanded that Hamas release hostages held in Gaza, but have not mentioned the thousands of detainees held by Israel without trial. They also all agree on the two-state solution.
The difference lies in the degree to which each country is willing to exert diplomatic pressure on Israel. Malaysia takes the strongest stance, and once considered pushing for Israel’s expulsion from the United Nations. On October 31, 2024, Malaysia joined a “core group” preparing to draft a resolution seeking an advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice on Israel’s obligations to ensure the functioning of the UN. Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar announced this action in Parliament on November 4, 2024, and further promoted this initiative at the Arab-Islamic nations’ special summit in Riyadh on November 11, calling for a global consensus to suspend Israel’s UN membership or expel Israel from the UN, to curb its “barbaric acts.” Anwar compared this move to the UN’s previous suspension of South Africa’s membership for its apartheid policies and urged actions such as arms embargoes.
Singapore, in contrast, has stated that if Israel continues to obstruct progress on the two-state solution, it may reconsider the timing of recognizing the State of Palestine.
Indonesia, as the world’s most populous Muslim country, has adopted the most complex stance on this matter. When Prabowo emphasized the need to guarantee Israel’s security, this statement was immediately interpreted by Netanyahu as support for Israel. In Tel Aviv, digital billboards displayed images of Prabowo alongside other world leaders, including US President Trump, Netanyahu, Palestinian Authority Chairman Abbas, UAE President Mohammed, Jordan’s King Abdullah II, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed, and Egyptian President Sisi. Previously, these billboards advertised Trump’s efforts to end the Gaza war and initiatives to expand the Abraham Accords (a series of normalization agreements between Israel and Arab states). These digital billboards are among the publicity campaigns initiated by the Israeli Regional Security Alliance—a nonpartisan group comprising over 120 senior Israeli security, policy, and economic experts.
These ads sparked swift criticism in Indonesia, not only from pro-Palestinian civilian groups but also from members of parliament. The Indonesian Foreign Ministry distanced itself from the ad content, emphasizing that Indonesia would not recognize Israel under any circumstances until Israel recognizes Palestine. However, at the recent UN General Assembly, Netanyahu reaffirmed his firm opposition to any form of Palestinian statehood. In his speech, he said: “Last year, the Israeli parliament voted on whether to oppose the establishment of a Palestinian state. Guess what the result was? Of our parliament’s 120 members, 99 voted against, and only nine supported. The opposition rate is over 90%.” In the speech, he not only refused to cooperate with Hamas but also refused to cooperate with the Palestinian Authority—even though the PA has declared its recognition of Israel and its right to exist, Netanyahu accused it of supporting the killing of Jews.
With Trump recently announcing a new “peace plan” accompanied by Netanyahu, all Southeast Asian governments will have to further clarify their positions, as this plan effectively negates the possibility of establishing a sovereign Palestinian state in the near future.
At the recent United Nations General Assembly held in New York, Timor-Leste, Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, and the Philippines all reiterated their support for the two-state solution.
In his speech, Indonesian President Prabowo said: “Lastly, I would like to reiterate Indonesia’s full support for the two-state solution. We must establish an independent Palestinian state, while also recognizing and ensuring Israel’s security. Only then can we achieve genuine peace: peace without hatred, peace without suspicion.” These Southeast Asian maritime nations all expressed the same stance.
Despite the consistent position, there are disagreements among these countries regarding which two states—Israel and Palestine—should currently be recognized. The Philippines has supported Israel since its founding and has already recognized Israel; Singapore has done the same. The Philippines and Singapore have not recognized the State of Palestine, whereas Malaysia, Indonesia, and Timor-Leste have recognized Palestine. During the UN General Assembly, when Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu gave his speech, the delegations of Timor-Leste, Indonesia, and Malaysia collectively walked out, while those of the Philippines and Singapore did not.
Facing the current conflict, all countries are confronted with the challenge of expressing their stance on the path forward. Within this framework, national positions differ as well. Singapore’s position is clearly stated: only when Palestine has a “credible and effective government,” explicitly renounces terrorism, and recognizes Israel’s existence will Singapore recognize the State of Palestine. However, Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan cautioned: “If the situation continues to deteriorate or if Israel takes further measures to smother the two-state solution, we will have to reconsider the timing of recognizing the State of Palestine.”
Many Western countries, including Australia—a neighboring country to Southeast Asia—formerly held positions similar to Singapore’s, but due to Israel’s hardline actions in continuing and expanding its occupation of Gaza and the West Bank, these countries have sped up their recognition of the State of Palestine and have announced this stance at the UN General Assembly as a response. However, their recognition comes with conditions: Hamas must be excluded from the government and be disarmed.
On the other hand, Prabowo said that if Israel recognizes Palestine, Indonesia will also recognize Israel. At the UN high-level international conference for the peaceful resolution of the Palestinian issue and implementation of the two-state solution, Prabowo declared: “We must ensure the establishment of the State of Palestine, but Indonesia also emphasizes that as long as Israel recognizes Palestine’s independence, Indonesia will immediately recognize the State of Israel and support all measures that guarantee Israel’s security.”
Southeast Asian maritime nations have unanimously called for a ceasefire, an end to violence, comprehensive opening of humanitarian aid corridors, and demanded that Hamas release hostages held in Gaza, but have not mentioned the thousands of detainees held by Israel without trial. They also all agree on the two-state solution.
The difference lies in the degree to which each country is willing to exert diplomatic pressure on Israel. Malaysia takes the strongest stance, and once considered pushing for Israel’s expulsion from the United Nations. On October 31, 2024, Malaysia joined a “core group” preparing to draft a resolution seeking an advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice on Israel’s obligations to ensure the functioning of the UN. Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar announced this action in Parliament on November 4, 2024, and further promoted this initiative at the Arab-Islamic nations’ special summit in Riyadh on November 11, calling for a global consensus to suspend Israel’s UN membership or expel Israel from the UN, to curb its “barbaric acts.” Anwar compared this move to the UN’s previous suspension of South Africa’s membership for its apartheid policies and urged actions such as arms embargoes.
Singapore, in contrast, has stated that if Israel continues to obstruct progress on the two-state solution, it may reconsider the timing of recognizing the State of Palestine.
Indonesia, as the world’s most populous Muslim country, has adopted the most complex stance on this matter. When Prabowo emphasized the need to guarantee Israel’s security, this statement was immediately interpreted by Netanyahu as support for Israel. In Tel Aviv, digital billboards displayed images of Prabowo alongside other world leaders, including US President Trump, Netanyahu, Palestinian Authority Chairman Abbas, UAE President Mohammed, Jordan’s King Abdullah II, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed, and Egyptian President Sisi. Previously, these billboards advertised Trump’s efforts to end the Gaza war and initiatives to expand the Abraham Accords (a series of normalization agreements between Israel and Arab states). These digital billboards are among the publicity campaigns initiated by the Israeli Regional Security Alliance—a nonpartisan group comprising over 120 senior Israeli security, policy, and economic experts.
These ads sparked swift criticism in Indonesia, not only from pro-Palestinian civilian groups but also from members of parliament. The Indonesian Foreign Ministry distanced itself from the ad content, emphasizing that Indonesia would not recognize Israel under any circumstances until Israel recognizes Palestine. However, at the recent UN General Assembly, Netanyahu reaffirmed his firm opposition to any form of Palestinian statehood. In his speech, he said: “Last year, the Israeli parliament voted on whether to oppose the establishment of a Palestinian state. Guess what the result was? Of our parliament’s 120 members, 99 voted against, and only nine supported. The opposition rate is over 90%.” In the speech, he not only refused to cooperate with Hamas but also refused to cooperate with the Palestinian Authority—even though the PA has declared its recognition of Israel and its right to exist, Netanyahu accused it of supporting the killing of Jews.
With Trump recently announcing a new “peace plan” accompanied by Netanyahu, all Southeast Asian governments will have to further clarify their positions, as this plan effectively negates the possibility of establishing a sovereign Palestinian state in the near future.