UNAIR NEWS – The worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza has reignited public concern and prompted renewed expressions of support from Indonesia. The Indonesian government’s response includes potential humanitarian aid and foreign policy action. According to Haidar Adam, SH, LL.M, a constitutional law lecturer at Universitas Airlangga’s Faculty of Law (UNAIR), the issue extends beyond a regional conflict and must be viewed through the broader lenses of human rights, geopolitics, and the global economy.
Call for humanitarian solidarity
Adam noted that the humanitarian aspect of the crisis is inextricably linked to international diplomacy, political dynamics, and economic challenges. “One contributing factor is that the majority of Indonesians, including the government, identify with Islam and view Palestinians as fellow Muslims enduring oppression. This sense of religious and moral solidarity compels them to advocate on behalf of the Palestinian people,” Adam explained.
He also emphasized that Indonesia’s openness to accepting Palestinian refugees stems from a universal commitment to humanitarian principles. The government sees the crisis as an affront to human dignity and feels morally obligated to respond. “This sense of duty is what motivates Indonesia to offer assistance—to ensure that Palestinians can live with dignity and have access to basic needs,” he said.
“These dimensions—human rights, politics, and economics—also relate to the broader context of global economic instability, particularly trade wars. In this light, the situation serves as a form of economic leverage with implications for national economic policy,” he added.
Importance of caution
Despite widespread sympathy, Adam urged caution in dealing with refugee issues, warning that poorly managed responses may create unintended consequences without addressing the core problem.
“This situation might set a precedent. If seen as successful, it could spark further displacement. We must be careful not to create a scenario where land becomes stateless and the underlying conflict remains unresolved,” he warned.
From a human rights perspective, Adam also stressed that the Israel-Palestine conflict should not be interpreted in isolation. “It’s essential to recognize that whenever people are subjected to oppression, individuals and institutions have a responsibility to intervene. This is not solely a religious issue—many groups are involved, and the political complexity requires a broader, more inclusive understanding,” he concluded.
Author: Adinda Octavia Setiowati
Editor : Ragil Kukuh Imanto
