Reluctant To Comment On NU Cadres Meeting Israeli President, Jokowi: Ask PBNU

President Joko Widodo (central) delivered a press statement before leaving for the United Arab Emirates from Halim Perdanakusuma Air Base, Jakarta, Tuesday (16/7/2024). (ANTARA)

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) was reluctant to comment on five Nahdlatul Ulama or nahdliyin residents who met Israeli President Isaac Herzog, whose photos went viral on social media.

"Yes, just ask PBNU," said President Jokowi briefly, before leaving for a state visit to the United Arab Emirates from Halim Perdanakusuma Air Base, Jakarta, quoted by ANTARA, Tuesday, July 16.

Jokowi emphasized that Indonesia's attitude towards the Israeli-Palestinian conflict was clear, according to the Preamble to the 1945 Constitution.

Indonesia will always participate in implementing world order based on independence, eternal peace, and social justice. That's what we continue to hold," said the Head of State.

Indonesia has consistently supported the independence struggle of the Palestinian people, which for decades faced violence and illegal occupation by Israel.

Recently, the Indonesian government stated an additional voluntary contribution to the UN agency for Palestine (UNRWA) of US$1.2 million (around Rp19.34 billion) as a form of concrete support from the Republic of Indonesia for UNRWA's work in dealing with Palestinian refugees.

Regarding the meeting of NU cadres with the President of Israel, which is considered by the wider community to be contrary to Indonesian principles for defending Palestine, PBNU said it would immediately summon the five nahdliyins.

"Deeper explanation of the purpose, background, and who sent and other principles," said PBNU Secretary General Saifullah Yusuf in his statement, Monday.

The man who is familiarly called Gus Ipul said that PBNU also immediately summoned the leadership of the autonomous body (banom) and the institution that became the service of the five people.

"The General Chair will also summon the leadership of the autonomous body (banom) and the institution that is the service concerned," he said.

If elements of organizational violations are found, he said, it is not impossible that the five people will be dismissed from their status as administrators of institutions or banoms.

He regretted the visit of the five people on behalf of NU youths to Israel and met Isaac Herzog. "The five people did not get the PBNU mandate, and also never asked PBNU for permission," he said.

According to him, the departure of the five people to Israel was a very unwise act amid the heated situation between Israel and Palestine. Moreover, NU as an organization is at the forefront of condemning Israel's attack on Palestine.