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Report: Indonesian officials visit Israel to discuss COVID, despite no formal relations

Health officials reportedly met to discuss the spread of the coronavirus, different variants, vaccines and other related information.

A skyline view of Jakarta, Indonesia. Credit: Yohanes Budiyanto via Wikimedia Commons.
A skyline view of Jakarta, Indonesia. Credit: Yohanes Budiyanto via Wikimedia Commons.

A delegation from Indonesia visited Israel recently to discuss ways to deal with the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, despite the fact that the countries have no official diplomatic relations, Army Radio reported on Monday.

Indonesian health officials reportedly met with Israeli officials to discuss the spread of COVID-19, different variants, vaccines and other related information.

The Indonesian government denied the visit.

Israel’s Foreign Ministry did not confirm the report, noting that the country “believes in international cooperation in every regard to the fight against the coronavirus” and is willing to share information, reported the AP.

According to a report by Axios, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke about normalizing ties with Israel during a visit last month to Jakarta.

“These changes reinforce that transparency and accountability can be powerful motivators,” Shira Goodman, of the Anti-Defamation League, told JNS.
“There have been continuing conversations with Harvard about compliance concerns,” Kenneth Marcus, of the Brandeis Center, stated.
The Israeli currency’s symbolic 2.99-rate against the dollar is said to reflect shifting regional dynamics and growing confidence in the Jewish state’s economic outlook.
Negotiators are reportedly seeking compromises on Iran’s nuclear program, freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz and compensation for wartime damages.
The proposal includes three broad aims: clearing a backlog of stranded vessels, conducting a major demining effort, and setting up ongoing naval escorts.
No injuries were reported among Israeli forces.