On the 2nd of February, 2025, widespread protests took hold in 22 Indonesian cities, with demonstrators demanding an end to Israel’s continued attacks on Gaza and the occupation of Palestinian lands. Over 15,000 individuals from various parts of East Java, coordinated by a group known as the Aliansi Muslim Bela Palestina, congregated outside the Grahadi Building in Surabaya. Substantial crowds were also reported in West Java, Central Java, and South Kalimantan (approximately 2,000 in each location) and Yogyakarta (about 1,500).
The protests, steered under the banner of the Aliansi Muslim Bela Palestina, began at 6:00 a.m. with the central message being, “Liberate Al-Aqsa and Palestine from Zionist Occupation”. Even though there was no official leadership by Hizb ut-Tahrir Indonesia (HTI), the group’s influence was evident in the protest’s organization and rhetoric. Protesters chanted slogans like “Defend Palestine, Fight Israel” and some even sang the nasheed “Khilafah Telah Kembali“ (“The Caliphate Has Returned”), underlining the ideological implications of HTI’s movement.
These protests aren’t standalone events but are part of a wider strategy employed by HTI. The organization has been known to use conflicts, such as the Israel-Hamas war that started in October 2023, to further its ideological aims. This pattern of mobilization has been observed globally, showcasing how Islamist groups, including HTI, exploit geopolitical crises to bolster their narratives.
In the midst of escalating tensions, HTI has used the Israel-Hamas war to argue the failure of the nation-state system and the need to reinstate the Caliphate. HTI remains active despite being officially banned in Indonesia in 2017 and has continued to gain support through protests, digital propaganda, and social media campaigns.
The actions of HTI are representative of a larger trend observed among Islamist movements. The conflict in Gaza has long been used as a propaganda tool by groups seeking to broaden their influence. Tricia Bacon, in a 2023 article for the International Centre for Counter-Terrorism, pointed out that the Israel-Hamas conflict has been efficiently used as a recruitment tool for jihadist groups.
Hizb ut-Tahrir (HT), a transnational movement with tens of thousands of followers worldwide, has been at the forefront of this global mobilization effort. Founded in East Jerusalem in 1953 by Taqi al-Din al-Nabhani, HT has a three-step strategy: recruit members, Islamize society, and seize state power.
However, HTI’s claim to be a defender of Islam contradicts the political reality. The group seems to selectively use the Palestine issue as a propaganda tool while showing little concern for other persecuted Muslim communities, such as the Kurds, Darfuris, Yemenis, and Rohingya. This inconsistency highlights HT’s ideological contradictions regarding nationalism.
Despite an official ban in Indonesia, HTI remains active in the digital space, using online platforms to spread propaganda and recruit new followers. This not only influences public opinion but also has far-reaching implications for Indonesia’s foreign policy and domestic stability.
Addressing this issue requires a comprehensive strategy. Legal measures, public diplomacy, and stronger counter-narratives must be developed to ensure that support for Palestine remains within the framework of human rights advocacy and international diplomacy – and does not become a vehicle for extremist groups seeking to undermine national security.
