MUI Admits Its Members Meet Israeli President Reuven Rivlin In Today's Memory, January 20, 2017

Chairman of the MUI Women, Youth and Family Commission, Istibsyaroh (left-handed) together with the Indonesian Muslim delegation met with the President of Israel, Reuven Rivlin (right-handed), Wednesday, January 18, 2017. (GPO/Mark Neiman)

JAKARTA Memories of today, seven years ago, January 20, 2017, the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) acknowledged that a member of the MUI Women, Youth and Family Empowerment Commission, Istibsyaroh met with the President of Israel, Reuven Rivlin. This fact is even more horrendous throughout the archipelago.

Previously, Indonesia's attitude towards the Israeli-Palestinian conflict had never changed. Indonesia has always been in favor of Palestine. All of this is because Indonesia has felt the pain of colonialism. A pain felt by the Palestinian people.

The Dutch colonialism then Japan brought deep wounds to the Indonesian people. This condition made the Indonesian people struggle to escape the shackles of colonialism. Because, there is nothing fun when living as an colonized nation.

This condition was agreed by the founder of the Soekarno nation. He said that colonialism above the world must be abolished. His view is not just an empty message. Bung Karno's actions were proven directly by his courage to bring Indonesia side with Palestine.

Bung Karno criticized Israel for annexing Palestinian soil. As support for Palestine, Bung Karno often took part in banning Israel from attending various international celebrations in Indonesia. Among others, the 1955 Asian Africa Conference to the 1962 Asian Games.

Bung Karno's attitude was then continued by other national leaders. Suharto himself fully supported Palestinian independence which was later realized on November 15, 1988. However, that attitude did not want to be continued when the nation's leader turned to Abdurrahman Wahid (Gus Dur).

Gus Dur feels that Indonesia and Israel must immediately normalize relations. This condition is so that Indonesia can play an active role in reconciling Israel-Palestinian if diplomatic relations are opened. Gus Dur's desire was also criticized by many parties. Efforts to open diplomatic relations are considered the same as recognizing Israel as a country.

Another example of Gus Dur's controversial statement is the need to open diplomatic and trade ties with Israel. Gus Dur claims to be a member of the Shimon Peres Foundation, taking the name of a political figure and former Israeli Prime Minister. His statements of this kind made the Muslim community generally furious.

"In fact, a person like Suharto has openly shown his defense against the struggle of the Palestinian people whose land is controlled by Israel; even Pak Harto supports Palestine to become an independent country. But many supporters of President Gus Dur have the opinion that his statement shows the attitude of statesmen, democrats, and supports human rights," said Sri Bintang Pamungkas in the book Change Regime for Change: Struggle Masters the Archipelago (2014).

The leader of the nation after Gus Dur returned to Bung Karno's attitude. They still sided with Palestine. However, this condition was briefly injured by the issue of an MUI member, Istibsyaroh who secretly met with the President of Israel, Reuven Rivlin in early January 2017.

The visit was published on the official website of the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Istibsyaroh is considered part of the Indonesian delegation who met the President of Israel. This condition made all Indonesians condemn the actions of the MUI members.

MUI also did not want to lose face. They went through the Deputy Secretary General of the MUI, Nadjamuddin Ramli admitted that his members met with the President of Israel on January 20, 2017. MUI also promised to take firm action against its members.

MUI actually doesn't mind visiting Israel with the aim of visiting the Aqsa Mosque. However, not with other political agendas.

"(Istibyaroh) he is not yet chairman, still a member. It is still being proposed to be the chairman of the MUI Women's Empowerment Commission. He was then met with the President of Israel during a visit to Israel by a foundation. If it is indeed a political or ethical mistake, MUI can prepare the trial. We can stop members of the commission," Ramli explained as quoted by Kompas.com page, January 20, 2017.