Indonesia's Foreign Ministry has strongly condemned the Israeli military's placement of a 'Rising Lion' banner on the ruins of Indonesia Hospital in Gaza. The banner, featuring an Israeli flag and a Torah quote, circulated on Israeli Telegram channels on Monday. The act coincided with Israel's 78th Independence Day celebrations.
Israeli forces placed a large 'Rising Lion' banner featuring the Israeli flag on the roof of the ruins of Indonesia Hospital near Jabalia, Gaza. The banner bore the inscription 'Look, a nation rises like a lion, and like a lion it lifts itself,' which appeared on Israeli Telegram channels on Monday. One channel message stated, “Bataylon 9208 from Negev Brigade is preparing to celebrate Memorial Day and Independence Day at Indonesia Hospital, Jabalia.”
Indonesia's Foreign Ministry issued a strong condemnation via its X account @Kemlu_RI. "Indonesia strongly condemns and protests the placement of the ‘Rising Lion’ banner by Israel on the ruins of Indonesia Hospital in Gaza," read the official statement on Thursday (April 23). The ministry described the act as provocative and unjustifiable, insulting a humanitarian facility built from Indonesian solidarity for Palestinians.
Indonesia Hospital is a civilian facility dedicated to healthcare for Gaza residents. It was besieged in November 2023, reopened in June 2024, and reoccupied in 2025, forcing it to cease operations. The ministry stressed that hospitals must be respected and protected under international humanitarian law, urging Israel to halt violations against civilian infrastructure.
The 'Rising Lion' banner references a Torah verse and the name of Israel's 2025 military operation against Iran. The display coincided with Israel's 78th Independence Day, marking 78 years since its 1948 declaration.
