Indonesia Denies Forged Immigration Letter Claiming Palestinian Entry Ban

A wave of misinformation targeting Palestinian travelers has been circulating on social media platforms, falsely claiming that Indonesia has implemented a blanket ban on entry for all Palestinian citizens. The fabricated claims, often accompanied by a doctored official-looking document, have caused confusion and concern. However, a thorough fact-check by Tempo, a reputable Indonesian media outlet, has debunked these rumors, exposing the deliberate attempt to spread falsehoods.

The alleged ban was supposedly based on an official letter from the Indonesian Ministry of Immigration, dated September 17, 2025. This document, which surfaced on platforms like X and Facebook, purported to deny entry to Palestinian visitors, even mentioning a specific case involving former Palestinian Minister of Health, Dr. Basem Naim, and his entourage. The inclusion of photos of Dr. Naim and Habib Rizieq Shihab alongside the fake document aimed to lend it an air of authenticity, preying on public sentiment.

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The letter was dated September 17, while we were still issuing visas for September-December 2025. We issued 1,270 visas for Palestinian citizens. In November, we issued 20 visas at a rate of Rp0 for students receiving scholarships from the Defense University.

Tempo's investigation meticulously compared the circulated document with official government decrees, highlighting significant discrepancies in format and content. Crucially, Minister of Immigration Agus Andrianto publicly refuted the authenticity of the letter, providing concrete evidence that his ministry continued to issue visas to Palestinian citizens throughout the period in question. He noted that 1,270 visas were issued to Palestinian citizens between September and December 2025, with even scholarships being provided to students. The Palestinian Embassy in Indonesia also confirmed they had no information regarding such a ban, deferring entry authority solely to Indonesian immigration. This fact-check serves as a vital clarification, countering the malicious spread of disinformation and reaffirming Indonesia's stance on facilitating entry for Palestinian nationals.

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We have no information regarding this matter. The authority to enter Indonesia rests with the Indonesian Immigration authorities.