JAKARTA - The Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) has asked the government to review the plan to send 8,000 TNI troops to Gaza as part of its commitment in the Board of Peace (BoP) given that there is no clarity regarding the framework of the peace mission.
"Therefore, Indonesia must be careful if it is really going to send soldiers to Gaza," said Chairman of the MUI for Foreign Relations and International Cooperation Sudarnoto Abdul Hakim, quoted by ANTARA, Wednesday, February 11.
Sudarnoto reminded of the great risk of the government's decision to send Indonesian soldiers to Gaza. The mission is considered risky politically and morally against Indonesia's position, which has consistently defended Palestine.
He did not want Indonesia to be trapped in the agenda of hegemony of the United States. Moreover, the peace council is considered unclear, whether it is carried out under the mandate of the United Nations Security Council (UN) or through other channels such as the International Stabilization Force (ISF).
"The peace mission in the ISF perspective is very dangerous. As far as I know, the ISF has not become a single official entity like UNIFIL (Lebanon) or UNDOF (Golan) which is clearly under the UN Security Council mandate. Don't get caught up or trapped by the hegemonic agenda of America and Israel, namely subjugating Gaza/Palestine," he said.
Sudarnoto explained that the deployment of soldiers carried out within the framework of the ISF is usually under the control and hegemony of major countries such as the United States. The main focus is to create post-conflict regional stabilization.
Therefore, he said, this kind of mission often carries a hidden agenda that is not in line with the long-term peace mission. Moreover, the ISF focuses on the demilitarization of Gaza, especially the disarmament of Hamas, which is not considered a just solution for Palestinians.
"For me, ISF is not an instrument for peace and Palestinian independence. In fact, what Indonesia has been fighting for is Palestinian independence and eliminating colonialism on this earth, including the Israeli occupier," he said.
Therefore, he asked the government to reconsider the decision to send troops to Gaza. MUI does not want the decision to result in Indonesia's reputation falling as a country that consistently supports Palestinian independence.
Although this decision has not been decided in a final manner, MUI reminded the danger of Indonesia being involved in a confrontation with Hamas because it is considered to be involved in a peace agenda that is actually detrimental to the Palestinians.
"If it is not considered carefully, then this troop deployment is high risk because it will face Hamas. This should not happen. Indonesia's reputation and good name as a nation that has always defended Palestine will fall," he said.
Previously, the Minister of State Secretary (Mensesneg) Prasetyo Hadi said Indonesia's involvement in the BoP is part of the nation's commitment to the Palestinian struggle, especially in supporting the recognition of Palestinian independence and helping alleviate the suffering of Gaza residents.
Prasetyo said that Indonesia's joining the BoP with seven other Muslim countries, is expected to reduce the escalation of conflicts and open access to humanitarian assistance to the Gaza region.
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