JAKARTA - Today, three years ago, on March 14, 2023, the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) reiterated its stance to reject the arrival of the Israeli national football team to Indonesia in order to participate in the U-20 World Cup. The rejection was considered by MUI as a form of safeguarding the nation's mandate: colonialism in the world must be eliminated.
Previously, the Indonesian government's stance regarding the Palestinian-Israeli conflict was clear. Indonesia sided with Palestine. Indonesia supports a free Palestine and is free from modern Israeli colonialism.
The bitterness of being a colonized nation has been present in the long history of Indonesia. At that time, Indonesia was colonized by the Dutch, then Japan. The lives of the bumiputra became miserable. Their sweat was squeezed. Their lives were difficult.
The narrative then makes the entire Indonesian nation still remember the memory of colonization. The memory of colonization then brings Indonesia to the side of those who are colonized. The special statement is present in the opening of the 1945 Constitution.
The content is that the occupation of the world must be abolished. This attitude was then held firmly by the leaders of the nation from Soekarno to Joko Widodo (Jokowi) regarding the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.
Indonesia continues to side with the Palestinian people. Indonesia considers Israel as a cursed occupier. President Jokowi also continues the nation's mandate. Jokowi has repeatedly emphasized that Indonesia is consistent in supporting the Palestinian people's struggle in various ways.
The Indonesian government often voices Palestine's independence to the world. Indonesia even fully supports Israel as a full member of the United Nations.
"Once again I emphasize Indonesia's commitment to continue supporting the Palestinian independence struggle. I emphasize the importance of unity among the Palestinian people. Indonesian history shows that it is Indonesian unity that has led Indonesia to be able to win independence," he said.
"Therefore, the reconciliation process needs to continue to be encouraged, and Indonesia is ready to facilitate the reconciliation of the factions in Palestine. I also convey Indonesia's support for Palestine to become a full member of the United Nations," said Jokowi as quoted by the Cabinet Secretariat website, October 24, 2022.
Indonesia's commitment to support Palestine was then tested when Indonesia was planned to host the U-20 World Cup football event in March 2023. The Israel U-20 national team was then one of those who would participate.
The narrative caused a stir. The Indonesian government was then asked to reject Israel's participation. Indonesia does not accept the occupiers. The most severe criticism also came from the MUI on March 14, 2023.
MUI firmly rejected the Israeli national team coming to Indonesia to participate in the U-20 World Cup. MUI reminded the government and the Indonesian Football Association (PSSI) not to open a gap so that Israel can come and compete in Indonesia. Later, the series of Indonesian rejection of the Israeli national team for Indonesia to be the host was replaced by Argentina.
"There should be no loophole whatsoever on the grounds of betraying the mandate of the opening of the 1945 Constitution and damaging the president's commitment so as to open space for Israel to enter Indonesia through any channel, including the U-20 football World Cup channel."
"Before it's too late, the government should reconsider the decision to accept and provide security guarantees to the Israeli national team. Guard this republic from certain forces that seek to pit the community against each other through the U-20 football world cup," said Chairman of the Foreign Relations Department of the MUI, Sudarnoto Abdul Hakim, as quoted by lamandetik.com, March 14, 2023.
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