Indonesia-Israel Trade Grows Despite Lack of Diplomatic Ties

Indonesia's trade relations with Israel have strengthened over the past five years. This is evident in the increasing trend of Indonesia-Israel export and import values during the 2018-2022 period.

According to data from the Ministry of Trade, in 2022, Indonesia's total export value to Israel reached USD 185.6 million, an increase of approximately 14% year-on-year (yoy). The total import value from Israel also increased by approximately 80% (yoy) to USD 47.8 million.

Cumulatively, during the 2018-2022 period, Indonesia's export value to Israel grew by approximately 11%, while its import value grew by 0.9%.

Despite the strengthening trade, Indonesia refuses diplomatic relations with the country. This is stipulated in Chapter X of Regulation of the Minister of Foreign Affairs (Permenlu) Number 3 of 2019, which reads:

"To date, Indonesia does not have diplomatic relations with Israel, and opposes Israel's occupation of Palestinian territory and people; therefore, Indonesia rejects all forms of official relations with Israel."

In the absence of diplomatic relations, the regulation states that the Indonesian government needs to observe a number of procedures in dealing with Israel, namely:

* No official relations between the Indonesian government at any level with Israel, including correspondence using official letterheads;
* No officially receiving Israeli delegations at official venues;
* No raising/use of the flag, emblem, and other attributes, and no playing of the Israeli national anthem in the territory of the Republic of Indonesia;
* The presence of Israelis does not imply political recognition of Israel;
* Visits by Israeli citizens to Indonesia can only be made using ordinary passports; and
* Visa issuance authorization for Israeli citizens is carried out by the Ministry of Law and Human Rights, c.q. Directorate General of Immigration. Visas are issued in the form of an affidavit through the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in Singapore or the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in Bangkok.