Indonesia should stop selling palm oil to Israel

The ongoing conflict in Gaza has raised concerns about Indonesia's palm oil exports to Israel. Recent reports indicate that Indonesia continues to ship significant quantities of palm oil, even amidst allegations of genocide in Gaza. In 2023 alone, approximately 29,600 tonnes of palm oil products were sent to Israel, with projections for future shipments remaining high.

Economists from Widyatama University have highlighted that Indonesia has been a major supplier of palm oil to Israel, accounting for about 71% of the total imports over the past few years. This situation has sparked debates within Indonesia regarding the ethical implications of continuing trade with a country involved in such serious human rights violations.

Calls for Indonesia to halt these exports are growing, as many citizens and activists believe that continuing trade undermines the country's stance on human rights and solidarity with Palestinians. The economic benefits of these exports are being weighed against the moral responsibility to support those affected by the conflict.