Indonesia's Geothermal Project: Political Implications of Cooperation with Israel

The political landscape in Indonesia has recently become more complex due to the government’s decision to allow an Israeli company to participate in a geothermal energy project in the Halmahera region. Despite its consistent support for Palestine on the international stage, this cooperation raises contradictions and questions the consistency of Indonesia’s foreign policy. We explore the reasons and implications of this step, as well as its impact on the region’s ecology. The project, carried out by Ormat Geothermal Indonesia, causes concern not only for its political aspects but also for potential environmental impacts on the region’s biodiversity, especially considering the existing pressure from nickel mining and other industrial activities. This decision illustrates the challenges Indonesia faces in balancing economic benefits with its established international politics.