For decades,Indonesia has positioned itself as a staunch defender of Palestine. From refusing diplomatic ties with ⁢Israel as ⁤the Sukarno ‍era to consistently advocating for Palestinian statehood on ⁣the global stage, Jakarta has never shied away from voicing its support.This year, on its Independence Day,‍ President Prabowo oversaw aid drops ⁢to Gaza, while the Foreign Minister⁣ continued to champion⁤ the Palestinian cause in international forums. Even the Indonesian Ulema⁢ Council has issued a fatwa banning indirect support for Israel.

Yet,a stark contradiction exists. while ⁢Indonesia loudly proclaims its solidarity with⁤ Palestine, its economic policies tell a different story. Quietly,and⁤ increasingly,Israeli-linked capital is finding its way into the Indonesian economy,most notably through Ormat Technologies,a major geothermal energy company founded in Israel. This raises ⁤a critical question: can a nation truly champion Palestinian freedom‍ while together allowing Israeli⁣ firms to profit from its⁣ resources?

The Ormat Encroachment

According to investigative ⁣reporting⁤ by deduktif.id, Ormat has deeply embedded itself ‍within Indonesia’s renewable⁤ energy sector.The company holds nearly 50% ownership of⁣ the Ijen geothermal project in East Java, a important⁣ stake in the Sarulla project in North Sumatra, and complete control of a geothermal⁤ unit in North Sulawesi. Expansion into Maluku is also underway. These aren’t minor investments; they represent a core component of Indonesia’s ambitious “green energy” future.

this presence isn’t merely an inconsistency with ⁣Indonesia’s stated political stance; it’s having a devastating impact on local communities. In Bondowoso, near the Ijen project, residents report poisoned wells, ruined farmland, and explosions that have forced school closures.⁢ Toxic ⁤gas emissions create a constant state of anxiety. In Maluku, indigenous communities who resisted Ormat’s projects have‍ faced criminalization and displacement from their ancestral lands – a pattern tragically mirroring the⁤ dispossession experienced by Palestinians.

A Network⁤ of Influence

Ormat’s presence in Indonesia isn’t accidental. Israel has long utilized⁤ companies like‍ Ormat as tools of influence, especially in nations without formal diplomatic ties. The Hasbara Fellowship, a program dedicated to promoting a positive image of