Indonesia may start to open communication with Isreal

President SBY is a moderate Muslim who is not afraid to stretch the envelop. He is going after the leaders of JI (Jemaah Islamiyah) here in Indonesia, and has said he wants Indonesia to play a role in the Middle East peace process. Recently Isreal’s Arab-Muslim Ambassador, Ali Yahya visited Singapore and was interviewd by the Jakarta Post.

Currently Indonesia has no diplomatic relationship with Isreal and Isreali’s are not allowed to come here. This really sucks, and I have an Isreali friend who cannot visit Bali. Ali Yahya said he was touring Asia and found it strange that certain countries are angry with Isreal over the Palestinian issue, when Isreal has good relations with Egypt, Jordan and Morocco.

When I look at politics from a 10,000ft level, I realise I am missing the minute details. Problem is the minute details are the things that get in the way of moving forard. I reckon most people in the world are good. When I ride my motorbike around Bali and talk to farmer and family members, I get a good feeling them. Same thing in Nepal, Australia, France and America.

Things get all bent out of shape when ignorant and selfish leaders take a country down the wrong track. The question I always ask is ‘does this leader care about people?’ I think SBY does. There are other leaders right now that I answer ‘NO’ to that question, when it is asked in conjunction with ‘when it conflicts with his own agenda?’ I reckon Sharon and Arafat were 2 trouble makers the world can do without. Hamas, Hezbolah, Al Queda, GW Bush, Tony Blair, John Howard are other groups / people I forward to seeing the back of.

Isreal will do itself a favor by actually treating the Palestinians like humans and starting care about them. I hope Indonesia can be a supportive ally to both Isreal and the Palestinians.