RI to recognize Israel only when Palestinian state established

"When the Palestinians, through a negotiation process, can establish an independent Palestinian state, then we will recognize and open diplomatic ties with Israel," Wirajuda told the Indonesian press here on Wednesday.

The minister said his presence at the Annapolis Conference which was also attended by Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert did not mean that Indonesia intended to establish ties with Israel because it would do so only on certain conditions.

On the results of the Palestinian-Israeli conference which was held at the US Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, on November 27, 2007, he said Indonesia welcomed the decision of Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert to continue the negotiation process to find a solution to the Israeli-Palestine conflict.