The recent visit of 5 Indonesian citizens to Israel has sparked a significant controversy within the Indonesian Muslim community, particularly among the members of the Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), the largest Islamic organization in Indonesia. Â The visit, which was organized by a travel agent named Inayah, was allegedly motivated by a desire to "secure the Muslim character" of the Al-Aqsa Mosque, a highly contentious site in the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict (Lcking, 2019).
However, the visit has been widely criticized by the leadership of the Nahdlatul Ulama (PBNU), who have expressed their disappointment and concern over the actions of the 5 Nahdliyins, as they are known. The Nahdlatul Ulama, known for its moderate and progressive stance on various issues, has been a vocal advocate for the Palestinian cause and has consistently opposed any form of normalization with Israel(Wardoyo et al., 2011).
The organization's stance on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is rooted in its belief in the right to self-determination and the preservation of the Palestinian identity and sovereignty. Indonesian Muslims, including those within the Nahdlatul Ulama, have a long history of expressing solidarity with the Palestinian cause, which has become a symbol of the broader "Aksi Bela Islam" movement in the country(Lcking, 2021).
Therefore, the visit of the 5 Nahdliyins to Israel has been seen as a breach of this solidarity and a violation of the organization's principles. The Nahdlatul Ulama has criticized the visitors for their lack of understanding of the geopolitical complexities of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and has called for a more nuanced and informed approach to the issue.
The controversy surrounding the visit highlights the complex dynamics within the Indonesian Muslim community and the delicate balance between religious, political, and diplomatic considerations. As Indonesia continues to navigate its role in the global Muslim community and its position on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the Nahdlatul Ulama's response to this incident underscores the organization's commitment to its principles and its desire to maintain a consistent and principled stance on this critical issue(Faidah, 2021).
References
Faidah, M. (2021, January 1). Pilgrims' Spiritual Practices at The Tomb of Sunan Giri During the Covid Pandemic. https://doi.org/10.2991/assehr.k.211223.177
Lcking, M. (2019, July 12). Travelling with the Idea of Taking Sides. Brill, 175(2-3), 196-224. https://doi.org/10.1163/22134379-17502020
Lcking, M. (2021, July 15). Breaching Boundaries in Muslim and Christian Tourism from Indonesia to Israel and Palestine. Cambridge University Press, 9(2), 129-144. https://doi.org/10.1017/trn.2021.12
Wardoyo, B., Wirawan, H., & Santiko, U. (2011, August 20). MEDIASI INDONESIA DALAM PROSES PERDAMAIAN PALESTINA- ISRAEL. , 13(1). https://doi.org/10.7454/global.v13i1.163
