Government says planned gospel concert raised security concerns and conflicted with Indonesia’s Palestine policy.
Indonesia has blocked a planned Jakarta performance by American gospel singer Israel Houghton and his band, Israel & New Breed, after officials said the event raised domestic security concerns and political sensitivities surrounding Palestine.
Government Blocks October 24 Performance
The Indonesian government said it would not allow Israel Houghton and Israel & New Breed’s “Til the Whole World Knows Tour 2026” concert, which had been scheduled for October 24 at Grha Pengharapan in Jakarta. Coordinating Minister for Law, Human Rights, Immigration and Correctional Affairs Yusril Ihza Mahendra said the decision followed coordination among relevant ministries, institutions and government agencies.
Security Concerns Drive Decision
Yusril said the government considered domestic security concerns after the planned performance attracted attention from parts of the Indonesian public and following controversy surrounding Houghton’s planned concert in neighboring Malaysia. He said officials were also concerned about Houghton’s past expressions of support for Israel, including the phrase “I stand with Israel.”
Government Links Decision to Palestine Policy
According to Yusril, political messaging supportive of Israel would be sensitive because it would conflict with Indonesia’s foreign policy position and support for Palestinian independence. He stressed that the decision was not intended to restrict music or religious activities, but said events carrying political messages considered harmful to the Palestinian cause would not be permitted.
Organizers Had Not Applied for Required Permits
As of October 5, Yusril said organizers had not submitted an application for a concert permit, while Houghton had also not applied for the necessary visa related to the performance. Despite this, tickets for the Jakarta show were still being sold online. Banyak Bagus Entertainment, a Kuala Lumpur-based event organizer, was identified as the concert promoter.
Ticket Sellers Asked to Stop Sales and Refund Buyers
Because the Indonesian government will not grant permission for the show, Yusril urged ticketing platforms to stop selling tickets and provide refunds to customers who had already made purchases. The decision effectively prevents the October 24 Jakarta concert from proceeding unless the government changes its position.
Indonesia’s decision reflects the government’s effort to balance freedom of religious and cultural activities with domestic security considerations and its established diplomatic position on Palestine. For Indonesians, the ban directly affects ticket holders and the local concert industry, while for Singaporeans and other regional audiences, it highlights how Middle East political tensions can also influence entertainment events in Southeast Asia.
Sources: EN Tempo (2026) , EN Antara (2026)
Keywords: Israel Houghton Jakarta, Indonesia Concert Ban, Israel And New Breed, Jakarta Concert 2026, Palestine Indonesia, Yusril Ihza Mahendra
