Indonesia Bans US Gospel Singer Israel Houghton's Concert Due to Support for Occupation

The concert was scheduled to take place on October 24 in Jakarta as part of Hooton’s tour, titled “Until the Whole World Knows 2026.”

Yusril Ihza Mahendra, the Minister of Coordinating for Law, Human Rights, Immigration, and Corrections, stated that Hooton’s gospel performances in several other countries were used to promote political support for the occupation, including through the repeated slogan “I stand with Israel” during his concerts.

This slogan is highly sensitive in Indonesia, a predominantly Muslim country that does not maintain diplomatic relations with the occupation and has long supported Palestinian independence.