Israeli companies are increasingly operating in Indonesia. They are using Indonesian locations, Indonesian creative talent and Indonesian commercial networks to promote their businesses in a country that does not recognise Israel and has stood with Palestine for decades. This growing commercial presence deserves far more scrutiny than it has received.

SwiftOptics provides a clear example. The Israeli eyewear company describes itself as an “extreme eyewear” brand and has produced promotional content in Indonesia, including a video filmed in Nias with Indonesian creator @frank_videography. Its vice president, Yehonatan Dadon, has also posted photographs and videos from Nias, Lombok and Bali.

This is not simply about an eyewear advertisement. It is about the increasingly visible presence of Israeli business in Indonesia and the gap between that reality and Indonesia’s longstanding policy towards Israel.

This is not simply about an eyewear advertisement. It is about the increasingly visible presence of Israeli business in Indonesia and the gap between that reality and Indonesia’s longstanding policy towards Israel.

Indonesia has refused to establish diplomatic relations with Israel and has consistently supported Palestinian statehood and Palestinian rights. It has opposed occupation and colonialism and maintained its support for the Palestinian struggle despite decades of international pressure to normalise relations with Israel.

READ: If Indonesia really supports Palestine, it needs to do something about its pro-Israel politicians

That position should not be undermined by commercial activity taking place largely outside public attention.

The issue is particularly urgent as Palestinians continue to endure the devastating consequences of Israel’s genocide in Gaza. Thousands of Palestinian civilians have been killed, millions have faced displacement and civilian infrastructure has........

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