Indonesia Denies Receiving Proposal for Gaza Refugees Relocation

Author: Dian Kencana
January 20, 2025

The situation in Gaza before the truce. (ANTARA)

SEAToday.com, Jakarta - The Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Kemlu) has clarified that Indonesia has never received any proposal, including from the United States, regarding the plan for the large-scale relocation of Palestinian refugees from Gaza to Indonesia. This statement was issued in response to circulating information about the proposal, which was mentioned in a report by U.S. media outlet NBC News on Saturday (January 18).

Kemlu spokesperson Rolliansyah Soemirat stated that the Indonesian government has not been provided with any information related to the plan. The report mentioned that Donald Trump's Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, was planning to visit Gaza to monitor the implementation of the ceasefire and ensure a long-term solution to end the conflict. During the discussions, Indonesia was mentioned as one of the countries considered as a destination for relocating some of Gaza's residents.

However, Trump's transition team acknowledged that this proposal is controversial, both among Palestinians and the broader Arab community, as many believe that relocation could provide Israel with a justification to expel Gaza's residents from their land.

Nevertheless, Indonesia remains committed to supporting Gaza's recovery, such as by sending humanitarian aid, but is not part of any plans to accept Palestinian refugees.

Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi, on Friday (January 17), also emphasized that Indonesia is ready to support Gaza's reconstruction and send peacekeeping forces to the region if requested by the United Nations (UN).