PBNU Condemns US and Israeli Attacks, Calls for De-escalation

JAKARTA - The General Chair (Ketum) of the Nahdlatul Ulama General Board (PBNU), Yahya Cholil Staquf, strongly condemned the attacks by the United States and Israel on Iran. The attack is considered to worsen the security situation in the Middle East region and can stir up radicalism.

"The US and Israeli attacks on Iran are brutal acts that again undermine the international order, even potentially triggering an uncontrollable global conflict and creating reasons for the resurgence of radicalism and extremism," said the man who is familiarly called Gus Yahya in a statement, Tuesday, March 3.

Gus Yahya also expressed his deep condolences for the death of the supreme leader of Iran Ali Khamenei due to the attack. He invited Muslims and the international community to pray for the Iranian nation to be given strength and strength to face this difficult situation.

According to him, the continued expansion of armed conflict will only deepen the humanitarian crisis and complicate the efforts of peaceful diplomacy. Although he condemned the US and Israeli attacks, Gus Yahya also regretted Iran's retaliatory actions, which attacked a number of countries without acceptable reasons.

"We all understand that it is anger and targets locations that are suspected to be the place of the American army. However, whatever the attack will actually worsen the situation," he said.

PBNU assesses that any action that encourages escalation will only distance solutions and prolong the suffering of civilians. PBNU calls on the international community to consolidate to restore the consensus on the global order with the United Nations (UN) as its main pillar.

Gus Yahya also encouraged the Indonesian Government to take a more active role in seeking de-escalation towards a dignified peaceful resolution, in accordance with the mandate of the constitution.

He hopes Indonesia can use its position in various international forums, including the Board of Peace (BoP), to urge the US, Israel, Iran, and related actors to stop violence and take the diplomatic path. "I hope all parties will refrain and prioritize the path of peace for the safety of humanity," said Gus Yahya.