PP Muhammadiyah Supports Prabowo's Plan To Evacuate Palestinians From Gaza To Indonesia, As Long As...

Chairman of the Muhammadiyah Central Executive (PP) Haedar Nashir. BETWEEN/Luqman Hakim

YOGYAKARTA - Chairman of the Muhammadiyah Central Executive (PP) Haedar Nashir expressed his support for President Prabowo Subianto's plan to evacuate 1,000 Palestinians in Gaza to Indonesia. As long as Haedar Nashir is not permanent.

"Yes (Muhammadiyah) is in line, the important thing is that there is no controversy. The second is not permanent, and not in the same concept as offered by (US President) Trump," said Haedar at the PP Muhammadiyah Office of Yogyakarta City, Antara, Tuesday, April 22.

Haedar hopes that all parties will understand and be tolerant of the diversity of ways to defend Palestinians.

"Muhammadiyah understands (the plan) for the evacuation of 1,000 people is temporary for his health and safety to be served, some can even be sent to school for later when they are returned to his homeland, Palestine," he said.

However, he reminded that a long-term diplomatic and political approach must still be a priority.

"So far, Indonesia has been very firm on (problems) Palestine. Even the speech of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia, Mrs. Retno Marsudi, was very firm, who represented the Indonesian government, even though it has now changed (the Foreign Minister), that political attitude must still be held as the main benchmark," he said.

According to Haedar, Muhammadiyah has long been actively helping the Palestinian people through various forms of humanitarian assistance, such as sending doctors to Gaza, providing education for Palestinian students in Indonesia, as well as building madrasas for refugee children in Beirut.

"There is nothing wrong with the steps that can solve the problem of fast programs," he said.

According to Haedar, maintaining the unity of attitude among Palestinian independence support groups is very important by responding to every difference of opinion through dialogue.

"We must not contradict each other, which in the end we cannot mobilize our positive energy for Palestine. I believe this is a tradition in our national life," said Haedar.

Muhammadiyah, according to him, is always ready to cooperate with the government and all elements of society in an effort to support the Palestinian people.

However, he hopes that these various efforts are actually carried out with humanitarian principles and based on the spirit of Indonesian foreign politics that is free to be active.

"Political steps must of course also be the government's concern with an active and proactive political spirit to find solutions," he said.

Previously, President Prabowo Subianto visited five countries in the Middle East, namely the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Turkey, Egypt, Qatar, and Jordan, to ask for their support for Indonesia's plan to evacuate 1,000 Palestinians in Gaza to Indonesia.

President Prabowo emphasized that Indonesia will carry out its plan when it gets the "green light" from all parties, including countries that are currently actively helping the Palestinian people in Gaza.

"The condition is that all parties must agree to this. Second, they are only here for a while until they recover, and when they recover and are healthy again, Gaza's condition has allowed them to return to their area. I think that's the attitude of the Indonesian government. For that, I have to consult with the regional leader," said President Prabowo during a press conference at Halim Perdanakusuma Air Base, Jakarta, before leaving for Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Wednesday (9/4) in the morning.