Jakarta. Indonesia made another strong-worded criticism against Israel’s recent attack on Doha during a recent meeting between the foreign dignitaries from across the Arab and Muslim world at the Qatari capital. 

Amidst the criticism, Indonesia-Israel trade rose by nearly 19 percent this year as of end-July, data showed. The emergency summit took place about a week after the Israeli launched airstrikes on Doha, an attack meant to target Hamas leadership. 

The airstrike, including the Palestinian statehood, dominated the talks between members of the Arab League and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). Indonesia -- a member of the OIC -- sent its chief diplomat Sugiono to join the summit. Sugiono told the session that President Prabowo Subianto had already met Qatari Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani a few days ago, while also apologizing for the Indonesian leader’s absence. 

“His [Prabowo’s] visit was a clear message of Indonesia’s unwavering support for Qatar, following the horrific and cowardly attack on Doha by Israel,” Sugiono said on Monday local time, according to a speech transcript provided by his ministry.

Jakarta said that the airstrike was not only an attack on Qatar’s sovereignty, but could pose a “grave threat” to regional and global peace or even any peace talks. For context, Qatar has stepped in as a mediator between Israel and Hamas militants. Qatar is part of the OIC and the Arab League. Sugiono then went on to talk of Palestinian independence, including nudging the UN Security Council to take “firm and urgent measures”.

“For Indonesia, the path to lasting peace remains unchanged: the realization of a sovereign and independent State of Palestine, with East Jerusalem as its capital, based on relevant UN resolutions,” Sugiono said.

The summit rolled out a 25-point communique that “firmly” condemned any aggression against its members. According to the document, Arab and Muslim nations call upon all states to prevent Israel from continuing its actions against the Palestinians. This includes suspending arms supply and reviewing any economic relations.

Indonesia does not have any formal diplomatic ties with Israel, but the Trade Ministry data revealed that both sides had been doing business with one another. The ministry reported that Indonesia-Israel trade totaled $165.7 million between January and July 2025, up by around 18.77 percent from $139.5 million recorded the same period last year. Annual trade also rose from $187.7 million in 2023 to $237.9 million in 2024.