Indonesian President Joko Widodo, also known as Jokowi, met with US President Joe Biden at the White House on Monday to discuss the ongoing conflict in Gaza and to call for a ceasefire. Widodo attended a joint summit of Arab and Muslim leaders in Riyadh over the weekend, where Israel was condemned and a ceasefire was called for. As the world’s most populous Muslim country, Indonesia has seen large protests in support of the Palestinians and a boycott of businesses linked to Israel.
During the meeting, Widodo urged the US to do more to stop the “atrocities” in Gaza and stressed the importance of a ceasefire for the sake of humanity. The violence in the region erupted on October 7 when Hamas, the armed group that controls Gaza, launched a surprise assault on Israel, resulting in the death of approximately 1,200 people and the capture of over 200. In response, Israel imposed a total blockade on Gaza and has been bombarding the Gaza Strip since then, causing the death of at least 11,000 Palestinians.
While the US has been providing full support to Israel, there have been recent calls for restraint and “pauses” in the fighting to allow for humanitarian aid and the release of captives held by Hamas. US officials have expressed a desire for Indonesia to play a larger role in the Middle East, including addressing the ceasefire issue and working towards a two-state solution and the rebuilding of Gaza after the war.
The meeting between Widodo and Biden comes ahead of talks between Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping, as well as a key summit of leaders from the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) in San Francisco. The US aims to strengthen cooperation with Indonesia to a comprehensive strategic partnership, deepening alliances in the Asia Pacific region. Biden previously announced a similar upgrade in ties with Vietnam during a visit to Hanoi in September.
The discussion between the two leaders also touched on the deepening crisis in Myanmar. Since the military seized power from the government in February 2021, fighting between the military and armed groups opposing the coup has escalated in recent weeks. While the US and other Western countries have imposed sanctions, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has struggled to hold the military accountable. Indonesia, as the outgoing chair of ASEAN, is considering its next steps in dealing with the situation.
In addition to the conflicts, Biden and Widodo explored new areas of cooperation, including defense, cybersecurity, space, climate, and environmental issues. The US is expected to announce joint initiatives with Indonesia on carbon capture and storage, supporting the electricity grid, and improving air quality.
Amid rising geopolitical tensions, Widodo emphasized Indonesia’s long-standing neutrality. He stated that Indonesia is always open to cooperation with any country and does not take sides, except for peace and humanity.
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