Ending Israel's Polemic At The 2023 U20 World Cup, It's Time To Focus On Peace Campaigns

The U20 Israeli national team will compete in the 2023 U20 World Cup in Indonesia. (UEFA/Seb Daly)

JAKARTA The emergence of a polemic regarding the participation of the Israeli national team in the 2023 Indonesian U20 World Cup, according to a political observer at the University of Muhammadiyah Malang, Hutri Agustino, indicates that Indonesia is not too ready to host.

This is because every football tournament in any country does not only matter the match for 90 minutes. There are still diplomatic, political, and cultural issues that always appear.

Look at Qatar's 2022 World Cup. There are a number of parties who want to make football a forum for the LGBT lifestyle campaign even though they have finally received a firm rejection from the Qatari government. Then, look at the attitude of the Iranian national team who were initially reluctant to sing the national anthem when starting the match against England as a form of protest against the ruling regime in Iran.

"This is clear evidence that organizing a football tournament is not only a matter of technical matters. This means that when Indonesia is committed to declaring itself as its host, this problem should have been suppressed long ago," he told VOI on March 13, 2023.

Moreover, Indonesia already has strict rules regarding Israel in Permenlu Number 3 of 2019. So, it should have been anticipated from the start. Don't let the polemic appear, then everyone will speak up," Hutri continued.

Permenlu Number 3 of 2019 confirms that Indonesia has no diplomatic relations with Israel. So that it is not allowed to fly flags and attributes, including singing the Israeli national anthem in Indonesia.

While the FIFA protocol regulations, all matches in international football competitions such as the World Cup, European Cup, Copa America, Asian Cup, to those at the level of the AFF Cup began with singing their respective national anthems.

So, said Hutri, the best way at this time is to diplomacy with FIFA regarding discretion against these problems. The public needs to understand, the risk of sanctions that will be obtained if the government or PSSI annulls the presence of Israel.

"Moreover, the holding of the 2023 U20 World Cup is a momentum to rebuild world confidence in Indonesian footballers which had collapsed due to previous acts of violence," said Hutri.

After all, those who invited Israel to attend the 2023 U20 World Cup were not Indonesia but FIFA. The organization of the FIFA World Cup, and Israel is a member of FIFA who has passed the qualification to participate in the 2023 U20 World Cup in Indonesia.

So that said national football observer Kesit Budi Handoyo, as the host, Indonesia should facilitate all 2023 U20 World Cup contestants. It's just a matter of how the security mechanism will be applied. It could put Israel in Bali City and only play at the Captain I Wayan Dipta Bali Stadium to minimize resistance.

"If the government asks not to let the Israeli flag fly and the Israeli national anthem is played, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs can consult with FIFA through PSSI. PSSI must be able to explain that this is the policy of the Indonesian government. If FIFA has approved, Israel as a member will also comply," he explained to VOI on March 13, 2023.

As for the Israeli supporters who attended, Indonesia could implement what Qatar was doing when responding to rainbow attributes.

Other Tantu fields are locusts. It is an obligation for visitors to respect the laws and culture of the people of the country they visit.

Likewise for spectators, supporters, players, or team officials, if the government decides to ban all kinds of Israeli attributes and flags, they must also comply, "added Kesit.

Hutri assessed that his current context is no longer rejecting or accepting Israel. But how to make the 2023 U20 World Cup, a forum for building a joint commitment to peace in the Middle East. This is far more important and educational.

It also does not shift from Indonesia's guidelines for implementing world order based on independence, eternal peace, and social justice.

The Indonesian people must be able to show the world the meaning of tolerance that has become part of Indonesian culture.

"Show the world that we are a civilized nation, a nation that is tolerant of differences, and a nation that upholds trade. This is the strategic momentum of campaigning for peace," said Hutri.

"Maybe it could be with public discussions with the Israeli national team in their spare time. Or through podcasts, for example, which brings together representatives between Israel and Indonesia," he added.

Hutri believes that the Israeli team does not necessarily have the same thoughts as the government. They could actually oppose the takeover of settlements on the west bank of Palestine.

"This is interesting, the echo of the World Cup will be defeated by the results of the broadcast," said Hutri.

Moreover, if indeed Indonesian people condemn Israel as a colonial nation, according to Hutri, why is the same thing not shown to Russia who invaded Ukraine. Why is it not shown to the Dutch or Japan.

"In fact, the Netherlands and Japan have clearly colonized and harmed us as a nation. This is just an reflection. After all, with Israel's participation in the 2023 U20 World Cup, Indonesia's views regarding support for Palestine have not changed as stated by the government through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs," Hutri stressed.