Introduction
Southeast Asia has long shown solidarity with the Palestinian people. However, while Palestinians continue to face systematic oppression, many ASEAN governments have responded in an inconsistent and contradictory manner. This article exposes the reality: Palestinians are not engaged in a “conflict” but are enduring ongoing genocide and occupation. Meanwhile, some Southeast Asian governments, either through inaction or active collaboration, fail to take an uncompromising stand for justice.
Malaysia’s Firm Stance
Malaysia has consistently defended Palestinian rights. The government condemns the forced displacement of Palestinians as ethnic cleansing and a violation of international law. During the ongoing genocide in Gaza, Malaysia has provided urgent medical treatment for Palestinian patients and maintains a visa-free policy allowing Palestinians to stay for up to 90 days per year.
Malaysia has no diplomatic ties with Israel and actively gathers evidence of war crimes to submit to international legal bodies in The Hague. In partnership with Japan, Malaysia is also working to rebuild Gaza—focusing on real justice rather than ineffective solutions like the two-state approach.
The two-state solution has been widely criticized as outdated and unviable by Palestinian scholars like Hanan Ashrawi, Mustafa Barghouti, and Sari Nusseibeh, as well as critical Israeli voices like Gideon Levy and Amira Hass. Meanwhile, grassroots movements—including the Palestinian-led BDS Movement, BDS Malaysia, and Humanitarian Care Malaysia (MyCare)—argue that a one-state solution centered on equal rights is the only way forward.
Palestinian refugees in Malaysia continue to suffer from a lack of basic rights and bureaucratic hurdles from the Palestinian Authority when processing visas.
Indonesia’s Diplomatic Position
Indonesia, the world’s largest Muslim-majority country, has expressed strong support for Palestine. The government rejected proposals to relocate Gaza residents to Indonesia, stating that such actions would legitimize Israel’s occupation. However, Indonesia still adheres to international law and the outdated two-state solution.
Despite its official stance, normalization efforts with Israel have increased, even during the genocide from 2023 to 2025. Some Indonesian Islamic scholars—Zainul Maarif, Munawir Aziz, Nurul Bahrul Ulum, Izza Annafisah Dania, and Syukron Makmun, all affiliated with Nahdlatul Ulama (NU)—visited Israel and met with President Isaac Herzog in mid-2024 under the guise of “peace efforts.” After public backlash, Izza Annafisah Dania and Nurul Bahrul Ulum resigned from NU, while Syukron Makmun clarified that he no longer held a leadership position.
One of Indonesia’s most vocal Palestine advocates, former Central Java Governor Ganjar Pranowo, opposed Israel’s participation in the 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup. His stance led to FIFA stripping Indonesia of its hosting rights, which hurt his popularity. This may have contributed to his loss in the 2024 presidential election, where he secured less than 20% of the vote.
A 2023 survey by Populix found that 65% of Muslim respondents supported the Indonesian Ulema Council’s (MUI) fatwa calling for the boycott of Israeli-affiliated products. This fatwa had significant economic impacts on multinational companies operating in Indonesia.
Singapore’s Diplomatic and Economic Ties with Israel
Singapore claims to maintain a balanced diplomatic approach but, in reality, assists Israel while providing token aid to Palestinians. This reflects Singapore’s prioritization of its geostrategic alliances over genuine humanitarian concerns.
Singapore has suppressed pro-Palestine activism using internal security laws. The Public Order Act, which prohibits flying foreign flags, has been used to arrest individuals for displaying Palestinian flags. In June 2024, activists Annamalai Kokila Parvathi, Siti Amirah Mohamed Asrori, and Mossammad Sobikun Nahar were charged for organizing a public event without a permit. They led 70 people in delivering letters to the Prime Minister, urging the government to cut ties with Israel. Protesters carried umbrellas resembling watermelons—a known symbol of Palestinian solidarity. The activists now face fines of up to S$10,000 or six months in prison. Singaporeans have also reported being interrogated at immigration checkpoints for posting pro-Palestine content online. The reasons are obvious. Since the 1970s, Singapore has maintained strong defense ties with Israel for its own security needs. This long historical military relationship, coupled with strong economic partnerships, has led Singapore to overlook Israeli war crimes in Gaza.
Vietnam’s Historical Support for Palestine
Vietnam has historically maintained a supportive stance toward Palestine, reflecting its own experiences with colonialism and resistance. In 1968, during the Vietnam War, North Vietnam established diplomatic relations with the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), and by 1982, the PLO had an official embassy in Hanoi. Vietnam was among the early nations to recognize the State of Palestine following its declaration of independence in 1988.
During the Gaza genocide in 2023, Vietnam’s Foreign Ministry expressed deep concern over escalating violence, condemned attacks on civilians and humanitarian facilities, and called for all parties to cease fire and respect international humanitarian law.
Despite these actions, Vietnam maintains diplomatic ties with Israel and continues to support the two-state solution.
Thailand’s Ties with Israel and Its Response to Gaza
Thailand’s relationship with Israel is primarily shaped by economic interests, labor migration, and security cooperation. Established in 1954, diplomatic ties between the two countries have since expanded into defense collaboration, technology exchange, and agricultural partnerships. Despite these close economic relations, Thailand has historically maintained a so-called “neutral” stance on Israeli policies.
Thailand’s official response to the genocide in Gaza has been “cautious.” While expressing concern over the humanitarian crisis, the Thai government avoided directly condemning Israel. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs called for a cessation of violence, adherence to international humanitarian law, and the protection of civilians. Additionally, Thailand contributed 3,000,000 Baht (approximately US$80,000) to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) to support emergency aid for Palestinians.
ASEAN’s Divided Stance on Israel and Gaza
Among ASEAN countries, six nations maintain diplomatic ties with Israel—Thailand, Myanmar, Singapore, the Philippines, Vietnam, and Cambodia. These countries engage with Israel in trade, security, and technology cooperation. Their responses to the genocide in Gaza have been muted and largely neutral, with most calling for peace and humanitarian aid while avoiding direct condemnation of Israel. Countries like Thailand and the Philippines have prioritized the safety of their citizens working in Israel overtaking a firm political stance.
Meanwhile, four ASEAN nations—Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei, and Laos—do not recognize Israel and strongly support Palestine. Malaysia and Indonesia, in particular, have been vocal in their condemnation of Israel’s actions, with their governments calling it genocide and pushing for stronger international action. Both countries have actively supported humanitarian relief for Gaza and advocated for Palestine at global forums, including the UN and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). Brunei has also taken a strong pro-Palestinian stance, while Laos, though less vocal, aligns with the broader ASEAN support for Palestine.
ASEAN’s Potential Unified Actions
Different needs and national priorities within ASEAN have made it almost impossible to act unanimously and decisively on such an important issue as Palestine which is a shame. The regional bloc therefore is unable to take a common principled stand against genocide and occupation.
What ASEAN Should Be Doing:
- Diplomatic Advocacy: Review existing ties with Israel, sanction companies complicit in war crimes, and sanction Israeli representatives from ASEAN forums.
- Support at the International Criminal Court (ICC): Follow Malaysia’s lead by supporting investigations into Israeli war crimes instead of allowing its impunity to continue.
- Economic Pressure: Implement a regional framework for boycotting companies supporting Israeli apartheid.
- Humanitarian Assistance: Establish an ASEAN-wide initiative for humanitarian aid.
- Review Military Ties: Ban arms trade with Israel and stop buying Israeli-made surveillance technology.
Conclusion
The focus of ASEAN, present and historical, has mainly been to foster economic growth and trade and less on addressing human rights crises, including the ongoing plight of the Rohingya. Hence justice for Palestinians does not and will not strongly feature on its agenda in the foreseeable future. However, this should change. If ASEAN truly upholds human rights and justice, it must prove it by taking a firm stance against Israeli apartheid and supporting Palestinian liberation.
