Facts About 5 NU Cadres Meeting With Israeli President: Coordinating Logistics For Israeli Interests, Not Creating Visa From Indonesia

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

JAKARTA - General Chairperson of the Nahdlatul Ulama (PBNU) Executive Board Yahya Cholil Staquf or Gus Yahya revealed a number of facts behind the meeting of 5 NU cadres with Israeli President Isaac Herzog.

The five NU activists have previously been summoned for clarification. Based on their confession, they were consolidated by NGOs (non-overnmental organization) who act as lobbyists for Israeli interests.

"After I asked, it was indeed the one who invited this from one NGO channel who was an advocate from Israel. So, those who helped Israel's image, lobbied for the benefit of Israel, and so on. This is what invites and consolidates them. Yes, it's very sophisticated usually the way," said Gus Yahya at the PBNU office, Central Jakarta, Tuesday, July 16.

The NGOs who worked for Israel came to the five NU cadres one by one to invite them to go to Israel. Initially, they were asked to come to dialogue with various parties, discuss the Hamas-Israeli conflict to the Indonesia-Israeli relations.

However, they did not previously know that they would meet Isaac Herzog when they traveled to Israel.

"Indeed, their program there is just meetings, dialogues there with various parties. He said without an agenda meeting with the previous Israeli president and it was suddenly reported there," explained Gus Yahya.

Gus Yahya emphasized that Indonesia has no diplomatic relations with Israel. Therefore, it is certain that the five NU cadres will receive a visit visa to Israel, not made from Indonesia.

"Mereka, jelas, bahwa visanya tidak dapat dari Indonesia karena memang tidak ada perwakilan Israel di sini, ya. Tapi itu bisa saja diatur soal teknis yang biasa dilakukan siapaun yang melakukan perjalanan ke Israel," tegasnya.

Gus Yahya ensured that the 5 NU cadres would be sanctioned. Sanctions for the five NU activists will be given by each organization under the auspices of the PBNU.

They are Deputy Chairperson of PWNU Banten Sukron Makmun, Board of the DKI Jakarta PWNU Bahtsul Masail Institute Zainul Ma'arif, Panggar Nusa Munawir Government Secretary Aziz, Deputy Coordinator for Information Media, Research, and Development of PP Fatayat NU Nurul Bahrul Ulum, and Deputy Coordinator for Health and Environment PP Fatayat NU Izza Annafisah Dania.

"Regarding sanctions, sanctions will be processed. Our rules are clear and detailed, regarding these mistakes and sanctions," he said.

Gus Yahya emphasized that his institution also has rules that cadres must obey, especially in responding to the Israeli military aggression and genocide against Palestine. This, according to Yahya, should have been known by the Nahdliyin.

"There is no purpose for developing this activity and that, nothing. The only thing that is allowed is to help the Palestinian people. That is the only one allowed," he added.