The House Of Representatives Criticizes 5 NU Youths Who Meet Israeli President, Assessed By Palestinian Defenders

Press conference of PBNU Chairman Yahya Cholil Staquf and PBNU/PHOTO administrators: Diah Au-VOI

JAKARTA - Commission VIII of the House of Representatives criticized five youths from Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) who met with the President of Israel, Isaac Herzog. The decision of the five Nahdliyin residents was considered not good and even hurt the feelings of the people in the midst of the Israeli military condition who continued to attack Palestine.

"I don't know what their five goals are going to Israel. But in my opinion, their meeting with the President of Israel is not good," said Member of Commission VIII of the House of Representatives from the PKB faction, Luqman Hakim, Tuesday, July 16.

"The meeting also has the potential to hurt the feelings of the wider community who believe independence is the right of all nations, including the rights of the Palestinian people," he continued.

According to the GP Ansor cadre, the five NU youths should not show support for Israel. Moreover, Indonesia's position as a country that has clearly defended Palestine.

"I myself am certainly disappointed with this incident. I have repeatedly conveyed that the Indonesian people should increase their support for the Palestinian independence struggle by initiating a military support approach with other countries in the world," said Luqman.

The PKB legislator reminded that Israel's attack on Palestine was no longer just an occupation. He said what the Israeli military had done to Palestinians in the Gaza Strip had exceeded colonialism.

"Already at the level of genocide aimed at destroying the Palestinian people from the face of the earth, by killing women and children. Israel has committed crimes against humanity that must be immediately stopped by the international community," said the legislator from the Central Java VI electoral district.

"So it is very important that we as Indonesian citizens show solidarity and humanitarian support for the Palestinian people. But what they do is show the opposite," he continued.

Luqman assessed that the meeting of 5 Nahdliyin youths with the President of Israel was inappropriate in the midst of a sensitive situation in Gaza. Although, he said, it was possible that his arrival had good intentions.

In the end, they actually made Indonesia appear as if it had no solidarity with the humanitarian tragedy experienced by Palestinians. After all, they still bring Indonesian attributes when they are abroad," he said.

Luqman also supports PBNU's plan to summon the 5 NU youths to be asked for an explanation. If there is a violation, he said, it must be dismissed from its status as an autonomous body (banonomous).

"Because in my opinion, their meeting with the President of Israel has absolutely no benefit for Palestine, for Indonesia and for the NU itself. All they get is publicity and a temporary sensation, which is unfortunate to cause harm to the wider community," he concluded.