"There are two things that I would like to say. First, the Foreign Affairs Ministry has never been in contact with Israel. Secondly, when it comes to running foreign policy, the Foreign Affairs Ministry is still consistent with Palestine in accordance with the mandate of the constitution," Teuku Faizasyah said in Jakarta on Monday, Jakarta Globe reported.
The remarks came after Israeli media claimed that Indonesia is likely to establish ties with Israel after four Arab states --the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Bahrain, Sudan and Morocco -- decided to open diplomatic relations with the regime.
Indonesia has long been a staunch supporter of the Palestinian cause and statehood and has refused to communicate with Israel.
During his speech at the United Nations General Assembly on September 3, Indonesian President Joko Widodo reiterated his country’s unswerving support for Palestine.
He said at the time that Palestine is the sole participant of the 1955 Bandung Conference — a meeting on world peace attended by Asian and African nations — which has not attained independence yet.
Additionally, Indonesian Islamic groups and pro-Palestinian NGOs have condemned recent normalization deals between several Arab states and Israel.