ASIATODAY.ID, JAKARTA — Indonesia’s strong public criticism of Israel’s actions in Palestine is not an expression of antisemitism, but a principled stance rooted in the nation’s long-standing commitment to opposing colonialism, according to Sukamta, Vice Chair of Commission I of the Indonesian House of Representatives.
Sukamta emphasized that Indonesia’s national values and education system have never promoted hatred toward any ethnic or religious group. Instead, they uphold a firm rejection of colonialism, a principle explicitly enshrined in the Preamble of the 1945 Constitution of the Republic of Indonesia.
“From the very beginning, Indonesian civic education has never taught hatred toward any ethnicity or religion. What it teaches is resistance to colonialism,” Sukamta said on Tuesday, December 23, 2025.
He stressed that public condemnation of Israel is driven by the ongoing occupation and humanitarian violations in Palestinian territories. According to him, such criticism represents a moral and constitutional response rather than identity-based hostility.
“If Israel does not want to be condemned by the global community, the most fundamental step is to end its occupation of Palestine,” he asserted.
Sukamta also rejected claims portraying Indonesia as an intolerant or antisemitic country.
He highlighted Indonesia’s identity as a pluralistic nation, officially recognizing six religions and home to hundreds of ethnic groups that have coexisted peacefully for decades.
“Indonesia’s diversity itself proves that antisemitism does not take root in this country. Such accusations do not reflect Indonesia’s social reality,” he explained.
Addressing discussions about possible intervention in Indonesia’s education system under the pretext of combating antisemitism, Sukamta warned that such measures could backfire and intensify negative sentiment toward Israel.
He underscored that Indonesia’s education system must remain grounded in Pancasila, the Constitution, and national cultural values, free from external pressures that contradict the country’s foundational principles.
“Indonesian education must stand firmly on Pancasila and national identity. Any form of intervention that contradicts these principles must be rejected,” Sukamta concluded. (AT Network)
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