SPECIAL ENVOY FOR ANTI-SEMITISM VISITS INDONESIA

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 JAKARTA 001572 SIPDIS DEPT. FOR EAP, EAP/MTS, EAP/MLS, DRL, DRL/AWH, DRL/IRF NSC FOR EPHU E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/31/2018 TAGS: PGOV KIRF KISL ID SUBJECT: SPECIAL ENVOY FOR ANTI-SEMITISM VISITS INDONESIA REF: JAKARTA 1500 JAKARTA 00001572 001.2 OF 003 Classified By: Pol/C Joseph L. Novak, reasons 1.4 (b+d) ¶1. (C) SUMMARY: During his recent visit to Jakarta, Gregg Rickman, the Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat anti-Semitism, met with a wide range of Indonesian government officials and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to discuss anti-Semitism and religious tolerance. Although Judaism is not one of the six formally recognized religions within the Indonesian Constitution, there exists a small Jewish community in the country and Rickman met with some members of that community. Rickman discussed the need to distinguish between Israel and Judaism, and emphasized that improving ties between Indonesia and Israel was a way of lessening anti-Semitism. END SUMMARY. VISIT TO JAKARTA ¶2. (C) Rickman and his assistant Karen Paikin visited Indonesia with the purpose of gauging levels of anti-Semitism in public life, media, schools, and the religious sphere. (Note: For a review of his visit to Surabaya, Indonesia, see Reftel.) During his July 25-29 visit, he met with Indonesian government officials, journalists, NGOs, political party leaders, and members of the local Jewish community. ¶3. (C) Although Indonesia and Israel have no formal diplomatic relations, he received positive feedback on improving relations between the two countries. Rickman met with several Indonesians who had recently returned from a visit to Israel, including former president Abdurrahman Wahid (Gus Dur),Ruyundi Hutasoit, Chairman of the Christian Properous Peace Party, and journalists. They all said the trip was a very positive experience. Gus Dur also said Indonesians were susceptible to rising Islamic extremism. Rickman and Gus Dur agreed that improving education and economic development remained the best approach to oppose extremism. ¶4. (C) In a separate meeting with Jakarta Post Chief Editor Endy Bayuni--also a participant in the Israel trip--Rickman discussed Indonesia's understanding of Judaism and the current atmosphere surrounding religious tolerance in Indonesia. Bayuni said the average Indonesian views the Middle East conflict "through the eyes of the Palestinians." Additionally, he said the current domestic political ;situation, influence of extreme groups, and Muslim clerics who preach hostility to Jews in their sermons made it difficult for Indonesia to recognize Israel at this time. He said his trip to Israel was very positive, particularly given his opportunity to interview Shimon Peres. ¶5. (C) Rickman also met with Taufik Wijaya, the Head of International Diplomacy for the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS)--an Islamist-oriented party gaining in popularity. Throughout the meeting Wijaya made clear contextual differentiation between "Jew/Judaism" and "Israel." However, he said average Indonesians used these words synonymously, which caused the issue to get muddled. This confusion makes it difficult to properly address policies regarding Israel, as opposed to Jews or Judaism, he said. He told Rickman he disagreed with Israeli policies in the Middle East conflict, but did acknowledge the difference between Israeli policy and Jews. Wijaya said there are "no real issues" preventing Indonesia from having diplomatic relations with Israel and said improved relations could "positively impact" the Indonesian technology and agriculture sectors. EDUCATION IS CRITICAL ¶6. (C) Rickman toured Pesantren Darunnahjah, a large, modern JAKARTA 00001572 002.2 OF 003 and diverse Islamic boarding school. The pesantren educates both male and female students from kindergarten through university. Pesantren Director, Sofwan Manaf, explained the differences between pesantren education in Indonesia versus religious schools (madrassas) in Pakistan and Afghanistan. Manaf noted that Darunnahjah's curriculum teaches certain similarities between Islam and Judaism. Manaf said pesantrens such as Darunnahjah followed a national curriculum outlined by the Indonesian government. Rickman was well received at the school and spoke to the students and faculty about the need to teach religious tolerance. ¶7. (C) On July 29, Rickman met with members of Liberal Islam Network (JIL),a moderate Muslim social organization, that expressed interest in participating in religious cultural exchange programs with Jews. JIL members explained that Indonesians easily believed in conspiracy theories blaming Jews for the 9/11 and Bali bombings. Members said Indonesians remain sympathetic to Palestinians and anti-Semitism will end only when Israeli/Palestinian issues are resolved. Throughout the discussion, JIL members did not differentiate between "Jews" and "Israel." ¶8. (C) He had a separate meeting on July 29 with members of the Majelis Ulama Indonesia (MUI),a semi-governmental group of religious leaders who issue edicts and advise the Indonesian government on issues regarding Islam. Muhyiddin Junaidi, chairman of MUI foreign relations committee, told Rickman that the Torah and the Talmud--the Jewish religious texts--were "corrupted by man" as opposed to the Koran--the Islamic holy book--which has "remained unchanged since revelation." Junaidi and other members offered offensive religious views of George Sores saying he had "Jewish characteristics." The overall sentiment from this meeting was that the Israeli-Palestinian conflict was the root of anti-Semitism in Indonesia. The MUI members were highly critical of USG policy in the Middle East, particularly with regard to USG support of Israel, stating the American people were under the influence of "Jewish people." ¶9. (C) In meetings with local Jews, many complained that in fact anti-Semitism was present in Indonesia and flared up in conjunction with negative developments in Israel/Palestine. With only nominal numbers, the Jewish community said they practice Judaism in private, seldom revealing their true religious identity. Maureen Hanna, a Indonesian Jew from Jakarta, said Jews were forced to list other religions on identity cards. The government of Indonesia requires all adult citizens to carry a National Identity Card (KTP),which identifies the holder,s religion. While members of unrecognized religious may legally leave this section blank, the are often unable to obtain a KTP unless they identify themselves as belonging to a recognized religious group, which include Islam, Catholicism, Protestantism, Hinduism, Buddhism and Confucianism per the Indonesian Constitution. ¶10. (C) On July 28, Rickman met with Nasaruddin Umar, Director General for Islamic Community Guidance at the Ministry of Religion. The two discussed the six recognized religions contained in the Indonesian Constitution and the implications for Jews living in Indonesia. Judaism is not one of the officially recognized religions. Umar said the Indonesian government allowed the Jewish community to worship freely, regardless of constitutional status of Judaism. He said all religions were free to practice in Indonesia. However, throughout the meeting Umar never made a distinction between "Jew" and "Israel," often using the words interchangeably. Throughout the meeting, Umar was highly critical of Jewish people labeling them "exclusive" and said "Jews only cared about Israel." Rickman asked Umar about educational reforms to include teachings about Judaism. Umar said Indonesian students already have adequate exposure to JAKARTA 00001572 003.2 OF 003 Judaism in existing Islamic curricula. LOOKING TOWARD THE FUTURE ¶11. (C) The trip revealed that many Indonesians do not make a distinction between Israel and Jewish people. Looking toward the future, Rickman advocated for religious tolerance through better education, particularly interfaith teaching, increased cultural exchange, and greater economic opportunities as the best deterrent against anti-Semitism. ¶12. (U) S/E Rickman approved this message. HUME