MUI: U.S. Economic, Political Influences Impede Middle East Peace

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The deputy chair of the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI), Anwar Abbas, believes that the regional conflict in the Middle East, especially in the Palestinian enclave Gaza, parallels the economic and political influence of the United States. He says U.S. support for Israel’s occupation leads to turmoil in the region. 

"As long as the economic and political power of the United States remains steadfast, other countries won’t be able to do much to stop the wars and atrocities committed by Israel and the U.S. in the region," said Anwar in his official statement on Monday, April 7, 2025.

Anwar also predicts that the war in the Middle East will continue without peace for decades to come as long as Israel continues to pursue the idea of a “Greater Israel.”

For instance, Anwar refers to Israel's recent strikes on Gaza, which he says are aimed at seizing the Gaza Strip in addition to eradicating the Palestinian group Hamas.

Anwar says Israel will likely forcefully relocate Gaza residents once it gains control of the area, following the plan put in place previously by Trump. Anwar suspects that Israel will then resettle its people to live in Gaza.

In line with its desire for a Greater Israel, it will then start targeting other Palestinian territories, as well as other countries like Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt.

According to Anwar, this difficult position makes it challenging for Arab countries to seek help from the West, especially the U.S., as it rather supports Israel's occupation.

Israel's airstrikes in the Gaza Strip have killed at least 86 Palestinian civilians. On Friday, April 4, the Gaza Health Ministry recorded a total of 50,609 deaths due to Israel's genocide since October 2023.

A ministry statement stated that 287 people were injured and transferred to hospitals in the last 24 hours, bringing the total number of injured to 115,063 in Israel's attacks.

"Many victims are still trapped under the rubble and on the streets as rescue teams cannot reach them," they said.

Israel launched a sudden aerial campaign in the Gaza Strip on March 18, killing 1,249 people and injuring 3,022 others. Israel violated the ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreement with the Palestinian group Hamas that took place in January.

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