Israel and Hamas – Nov. 14

As the Israel-Hamas conflict enters its sixth week, Asian countries are offering humanitarian aid, while solidifying their points of view. Calls to boycott Israel-linked businesses have gained strength with the Indonesian Ulema Council issuing a fatwa.

• Indonesia President Joko Widodo has urged US President Joe Biden to “do more” to end the violence in Gaza. The two met ahead of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in San Francisco this week.

• Australian Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong has called on Israel to stop attacking hospitals and voiced concern about the safety of civilians, despite immense pressure from the Opposition and Australian Jewish leaders. Australia has seen record-large spikes in Islamophobic and anti-Semitic incidents.

• Japan’s Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa has said her country will “take a lead” in global efforts to address the deepening humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

• Aid from Indonesia continues to arrive in Egypt, and the Egyptian Red Crescent is helping to deliver it to Gaza. The aid comprises tents, blankets, food, medicines, sanitation kits and minor surgery sets weighing 26.5 tons.

• The Indonesian Ulema Council has called on every Muslim to avoid using Israeli products and or transacting with parties affiliated with Israel. The council has not provided a list of brands or companies.

• The Singapore public has donated S$2m (US$1.47m) for humanitarian assistance to the civilians in Gaza through the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) in Egypt.

• The Singapore Government has warned people not to display foreign national emblems related to the Israel-Gaza war – with up to six months in jail for doing so.

• Malaysia has renewed its support for Hamas, despite US efforts to restrict external parties from doing so. The US is Malaysia’s third-largest trading partner.

• Watermelon emojis are flooding social media in Indonesia and Malaysia as a show of support for Palestinians. When a watermelon is sliced open, the fruit shows the colors of the Palestinian flag.

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