Yogyakarta, 19 June 2025–The history of the development of international relations with the Middle East shows the identity and alignment of Indonesia’s foreign policy. Consistency over the years reflects the strong solidarity of the past and present governments, especially in the Palestinian conflict. Prof. Dr. Dra. Siti Mutiah Setiawati, M.A., Professor of Middle East Geopolitics, Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada, raised the issue in her speech on Thursday (19/6).
Indonesia’s bilateral relations with countries in the Middle East are due to their support when Indonesia became independent in 1945. Egypt, followed by the Arab League, was listed as the first country and regional organization to recognize Indonesia’s independence and sovereignty. Furthermore, the solidarity initiation was strengthened during the Asia-Africa Conference (KAA), Prime Minister Ali Sastroamidjojo supported the Rights of the Palestinian Arab People and encouraged the United Nations (UN) to resolve the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. “The closeness of these two regions can also be seen from the political terms used in governance. Another reason is also because both have a majority Muslim population,” said Sri.
In its development, the consistency of closeness between Indonesia and the Middle East region has shown variations, even pragmatic compromises. Siti said that Indonesia’s foreign policy as a developing country is often created due to pressure from major international powers. In the end, the consistency of international alignments is influenced by a combination of domestic values and the reality of global forces that shape the region’s geopolitical landscape.
There are at least three principles of Indonesia’s foreign policy. First, the free-active policy was issued in response to the Western and Eastern Bloc powers. However, the implementation of each presidential period tends to vary. “Many observers of Indonesian foreign policy have begun to question the extent to which this principle is still relevant to national interests,” Sri said. The shift in the meaning of “partisanship” today is certainly very influential on Indonesia’s position in the eyes of the world. The second principle is stated in the Preamble of the 1945 Constitution to eradicate colonialism and maintain the integrity of the Republic of Indonesia. Third, the principle of good neighborhood policy is used to strengthen regional cooperation with ASEAN countries.
Indonesia faces a number of challenges in defending Palestinian independence. Internally, Palestine is divided into two opposing parties, Hamas and Fatah. Indonesia, as a solidarity country, must understand the positions of these two groups to provide support. Hamas has the principle that it will not consider the existence of Israel, while Fatah recognizes Israel and is willing to discuss conflict resolution. Indonesia itself is more often on Fatah’s side by voicing the “Two State Solution” to give recognition to Palestine.
Not only Palestine, but Sri also explained Indonesia’s challenges amid conflicts in other Middle Eastern countries. One is the conflict between Yemen and the Arab Spring, both of which have good relations with Indonesia. The conflict led to a military alliance called the “Islamic Military Alliance”, better known as the Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition (IMCTC), on December 15, 2015. Indonesia was one of the countries invited to join, but firmly refused due to the principle of free and active politics. The decision shows a variation of partisanship towards Middle Eastern countries. This includes foreign policy principles that can save Indonesia’s position from global geopolitical tensions. “The principle of Indonesia’s ‘free and active’ foreign policy has proven to be a guideline (guidance) not to get caught up in the flow of international geopolitics that is uncertain of its direction and purpose,” she concluded.
Prof. Dr. Dra. Siti Mutiah Setiawati, M.A., was officially inaugurated as one of 532 active professors of UGM and 23 out of 39 professors owned by the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, UGM. Delivered by the UGM Board of Professors Chairman, Prof. Dr. M. Baiquni, M.A., Prof. Siti’s scientific contribution is expected to support the Palestinian independence process. “Of course, hopefully we can practice this knowledge well, because only knowledge without wisdom will make us less wise, but only knowledge without power, we have no power to change,” he said.