The Jakarta Post, 8/4/2006 1:38:55 PM
Israel says it seeks dialogue with Indonesia, Malaysia
SINGAPORE (AP): Israel would like a dialogue with Indonesia and Malaysia in order
to work together on problems in the Middle East, the Israeli ambassador to Singapore
said Friday.
The two Southeast Asian countries with predominantly Muslim populations so far have
refused to consider diplomatic relations with Israel, a stance that Ambassador Ilan
Ben-Dov called "absurd."
Ben-Dov spoke to The Associated Press a day after a meeting of Muslim leaders in
Malaysia condemned "Israeli aggression" in Lebanon. During the three-week conflict
in the Middle East, anti-Israel protests have broken out in Malaysia and Indonesia,
with some demonstrators volunteering to go fight theJewish state.
Ben-Dov said Israel wants to be able to address a "culture of hatred" against his
country in Malaysia and Indonesia, and to explain Israel's position on the conflict with
Hizbollah in Lebanon.
"If you don't listen at least to both sides, that creates even more hatred. We don't
expect them to agree, but at least give the opportunity to listen to the other half of this
conflict," he said.
He said it was difficult for Israel to even speak to the media in the two countries. Last
week, the ambassador wrote to the Jakarta Post to complain about what he called an
"unbalanced" editorial against Israel's actions in Lebanon. He said in theletter,
published by the newspaper, that its approach "can only ignite more hatred and more
prejudice against the state of Israel."
Indonesia, as the world's most populous Muslim nation, could play a constructive role
in the Middle East, the ambassador said. "They always speak about the will to
support the Palestinians. We look at that as a very positive will. But what they are
doinguntil now is only speaking about it but not doing something," Ben-Dov said.
"If they want to be constructive and effective, they should talk to both sides, as other
Muslim countries are doing. ... One cannot have influence there by being one-sided."
Ben-Dov has served for one year as ambassador in Singapore, a tiny city-state
sandwiched between the two nations. He said he has actively pursued ways of
beginning a dialogue with the countries but so far has had little success.
Indonesia has refused diplomatic ties with Israel and insists the Jewish state
recognize Palestine as an independent state.
Malaysia has said it would not consider establishing diplomatic relations with Israel
until it changes its policies toward the Palestinians. (**)
All contents copyright © of The Jakarta Post.
|
