Indonesia has denied reports in Israeli media that President Prabowo Subianto plans to visit Israel after visiting Sharm el-Sheikh in Egypt.
Foreign Minister Suginono told local media on Monday that there were “no such plans,” explaining that Prabowo would return to Jakarta after participating in the Gaza peace summit in Sharm el-Sheikh.
“As originally planned, the president will return home after the event in Egypt,” Sugiono, who is accompanying Prabowo, said in a written statement cited by Indonesian news outlet Tempo.
According to Turkish state television, Indonesian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Yvonne Mwenkan also denied the rumors. “Not true,” Mwenkan said while responding to a question from reporters on whether the president was planning a visit to the occupied territories.
The statement contradicts multiple reports in Israeli media, including The Times of Israel and Y-Net News, suggesting that preparations were underway for a landmark visit by the Indonesian leader as early as Tuesday or Wednesday.
However, the Jerusalem Post, published in occupied Palestine, rejected the claim.
Prabowo is currently in the Egyptian resort of Sharm el-Sheikh, where he attended the Gaza peace conference along with more than 20 world leaders. He had promised to send 20,000 Indonesian troops to the Gaza Strip as potential peacekeepers.
Indonesia has the world’s largest Muslim population but does not have diplomatic relations with the Israeli government.
MNA