Indonesia Condemns Israel’s Settlement Plans in the West Bank
Indonesia strongly condemned Israel’s recent decision to legalize five Jewish settlement outposts in the West Bank, reaffirming its commitment to the two-state solution and demanding accountability from Tel Aviv. The Indonesian Foreign Ministry stated that Israel’s actions violate international law and UN resolutions. The announcement follows global condemnation, including from Jordan and the EU, who have denounced the settlements as undermining peace efforts. The West Bank, occupied by Israel since 1967, has seen increased violence and military activity, with reports indicating record-high escalations in two decades. (Jakarta Post)
Fulbright Contingent from Indonesia Increases
In 2024, 127 Indonesians received prestigious U.S. Department of State Fulbright Program scholarships to study and conduct research in the United States, an increase of 22 over last year. Recipients include 54 Fulbright Master’s Degree awardees, 37 Fulbright Doctoral Degree awardees, and 36 Fulbright Visiting Scholars who will conduct postdoctoral research in the United States. The Fulbright Program in Indonesia is managed by the official Fulbright Commission in country, American Indonesian Exchange Foundation (AMINEF).
The students and scholars are in Jakarta July 25-26 to prepare for their upcoming academic and cultural experience. They hail from various regions in Indonesia, including West Kalimantan, East Java, Jakarta, Papua, Riau, and South Sulawesi. They will attend institutions in the United States including Cornell University, Georgia State University, Harvard, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, and Texas A&M University.
However, according to AMINEF Executive Director, Alan Feinstein, applications from the US are down.