ASEAN’s Member States and Israel-Palestine Conflict

The humanitarian situation in Gaza, Palestine, has deteriorated significantly. Israel's choice to halt water, electricity, and other supplies has left millions facing severe shortages of essential goods. Since October 2023, Israel's violent campaign in the Gaza Strip has resulted in over 42,600 deaths, primarily among women and children, and has injured nearly 99,800 individuals. Humanitarian workers and health officials report that most aid has been unable to reach northern Gaza due to intense Israeli bombardment. As they face a lack of food, aid, and support, the people continue to endure suffering amid ongoing airstrikes.

The State of Southeast Asia 2024 Survey (SSEA 2024) reveals that the Israel-Hamas conflict (46.5%) and aggressive actions in the South China Sea (39.9%) are the region's primary geopolitical concerns, followed closely by the Russia-Ukraine war and global scam operations (both at 39.4%). The implications of the January 2024 Taiwan elections rank last at 7.6%. Despite being geographically distant, the Israel-Hamas conflict has emerged as Southeast Asia's top geopolitical issue, even more so than the South China Sea disputes. In contrast, while the Russia-Ukraine war is seen as a significant concern, the situation in Gaza resonates more strongly, particularly because over 40% of Southeast Asia's population is Muslim, with large communities in Indonesia, Brunei, and Malaysia. Furthermore, in countries like Singapore, where about 15% of the population is Muslim, this conflict is viewed as the primary concern for their governments.

Regarding to the issue above, ASEAN has made statement via joint communique issue on 25 July 2024 that “ We condemned all attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure, which have resulted in the alarming number of casualties, particularly women and children, the restricted access to food, water, and other basic needs, leading to the further deterioration of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.” which clearly show that ASEAN urged all relevant parties for a cease-fire and release of hostages in Gaza. The bloc urged all parties concerned to work towards a peaceful resolution to the conflict with a view to realizing the two-state solution in accordance with international law and relevant UN resolutions.

The ongoing Israel-Hamas war may impact ASEAN's unity and relevance, even though Israel has good relations with several member countries. Singapore, the Philippines, and Thailand have particularly close ties with Israel. Notably, the Philippines was the only Asian nation to recognize Israel's establishment at the UN in 1947. Thailand acknowledged Israel in 1954, and Singapore recognized its sovereignty as a state in 1969. Relations with Vietnam have rapidly progressed since 1993, particularly in economics, trade, and agricultural collaboration. Additionally, Israel has more recently established relations with Mongolia, Cambodia, and Laos.

Muslim Solidarity : Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, and Malaysia

Brunei, Malaysia, and Indonesia have shown solidarity with the Palestinians, but none maintain diplomatic relations with Israel and have consistently criticized the country despite pressure from the West. In Malaysia, Brunei, and Indonesia, religion plays a crucial role in domestic politics, with Muslim-majority populations demonstrating strong public support for the Palestinian cause. Indonesia's foreign policy reflects this, as it emphasizes unwavering support for Palestine and no engagement with Israel. Malaysia adopts a similar stance, with Prime Minister Anwar and his foreign minister openly condemning Israel and backing Palestine during the ongoing conflict.

In Indonesia, a local fatwa was issued in November 2023 against the United States and Western brands that support Israel. The Indonesian Ulama Council (MUI) declared that Muslims must aid the Palestinian struggle for independence through various means, such as donations and charity. The fatwa also forbids any activities or support for Israel's aggression against Palestine. In Malaysia, the ongoing boycotts of international brands associated with Israel have sparked significant debate, highlighting the complex relationship between political expression and economic realities. For many Malaysians, participating in the boycott is seen as an important way to express solidarity with their Muslim counterparts in Palestine.

In response to the ongoing conflict, Indonesia has opened a successful 100-bed hospital in Gaza, funded by Muhammadiyah and other civil society organizations since 2011. This hospital, built by Indonesians, aims to provide humanitarian aid and meet the medical needs of Palestinians. Indonesia made this announcement following Israeli claims that a tunnel used by Hamas was located beneath the facility. Israel Defense Forces (IDF) spokesman Daniel Hagari stated that "Hamas systematically built the Indonesian Hospital to disguise its underground terror infrastructure."

Singapore, Thailand, and Philippines

Singapore has taken a strong stance against Hamas, condemning the "terror attacks" associated with the group. The island nation has maintained close defense ties with Israel, with Israeli military advisers supporting the Singapore Armed Forces since its independence in 1965. These defense relations remain robust, as evidenced by the joint development and production of surface-to-surface Blue Spear missiles in February 2022. Singapore is wary that the ongoing crisis could exacerbate domestic divisions along religious lines, given its significant Muslim minority. In response to rising tensions, the government has prohibited events and public gatherings related to the Israel-Hamas conflict.

The Philippines and Thailand have significant numbers of nationals working in Israel and have experienced casualties due to the current crisis. In October 2023, Thailand reported 24 hostages and 32 citizens killed in the initial attack, with many of its workers being farmhands—approximately 30,000 Thai nationals are employed in Israel. The Philippines also has around 30,000 workers in Israel, along with one reported hostage; three Filipinos and a Cambodian student have been confirmed dead. The Philippines condemned Hamas' actions, a stance influenced by its long history of combating militant groups in the southern part of the country. Meanwhile, Thailand initially maintained a neutral position, expressing uncertainty about the political situation between Palestine and Israel.

Myanmar, Cambodia, Lao PDR, and Vietnam

Myanmar has the longest-standing relationship with Israel, having established diplomatic ties in 1953. Cambodia, Lao PDR, and Vietnam also maintain diplomatic relations with Israel. These three countries have issued more measured statements regarding the crisis, expressing concern without placing blame on either side. In contrast, the military junta in Myanmar is primarily focused on regime survival and has conducted airstrikes against domestic insurgents, resulting in 29 deaths shortly after the Hamas attack on Israel.

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ASEAN’s Member States and Israel-Palestine Conflict

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