MADRID - The Indonesian government has opened the opportunity to help establish a Palestinian cultural center in Jerusalem. The plan is part of an effort to restore the Palestinian cultural identity which is threatened by the prolonged conflict.
Minister of Culture Fadli Zon said Indonesia would study the proposal submitted by the Palestinian Government before determining the form of support and cooperation.
"We welcome the idea of establishing the cultural center and will explore various opportunities for cooperation so that it can provide real benefits for the preservation of Palestinian culture," Fadli said in Madrid, Spain, Wednesday, July 15.
The plan was discussed in a meeting between Fadli and Palestinian Minister of Culture Emad Al-Din Hamdan on the sidelines of the International Conference on the Reconstruction of the Cultural Sector in Palestine which took place on July 15-16, 2026.
The Palestinian government has proposed the establishment of the Indonesia-Palestine Cultural Centre in Jerusalem. The place is designed to be a gathering, working, and expressing space for the Palestinian people in Jerusalem and the West Bank.
Emad said that the conflict not only took lives, but also threatened the sustainability of the Palestinian cultural identity. Therefore, the recovery of the cultural sector requires a strategy, work stages, and sustainable funding support from the international community.
In addition to cultural centers, the two countries discussed joint film production, art exhibitions, and the translation of Palestinian literary works into Indonesian.
"Indonesia is ready to open a space for cultural cooperation with Palestine, including through film collaboration, translation of literary works, and other cultural programs," said Fadli.
According to Fadli, culture can help people understand the history, identity, and values that a nation is fighting for.
Indonesia is also exploring the establishment of a Palestinian Struggle Museum in Taman Mini Indonesia Indah. The museum is prepared to introduce the cultural heritage of Palestinian objects and intangibles as well as documenting the struggle of the people to maintain their identity and independence.
"We want the Indonesian people to know Palestine not only through conflict, but also through its civilization, art, traditions, and cultural heritage," said Fadli.
The meeting followed up on a memorandum of understanding signed by the two ministers in September 2025. Both parties agreed to continue discussions to determine the form of cooperation that can be carried out.
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