MIDDLE EAST AND AFRICA | SOCCER- Palestinian envoy unnerved by Israeli participation in U-20 World Cup hosted by Indonesia
Then-Youth and Sports Minister Zainudin Amali (right), accompanied by Soccer Association of Indonesia (PSSI) chairman Erick Thohir (left) and Surakarta Mayor Gibran Rakabuming Raka (center), inspect the construction activities on Manahan Stadium in Surakarta, Central Java, on March 12. Manahan Stadium is being prepared as one of the venues for the 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup’s soccer matches in Indonesia. (Antara/Maulana Surya)
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Palestinian Ambassador to Indonesia Zuhair Al-Shun asserted on Wednesday that Palestine has no qualms with Indonesia hosting the FIFA U-20 World Cup despite the participation of an Israeli soccer team, as Indonesia has remained consistent in supporting the Palestinian cause.
He said Palestine would not intervene with the policies and decisions of another country.
Al-Shun said each sports federations including FIFA were entitled to their own rules, and Indonesia’s successful bid to host the U-20 World Cup is to be praised.
“Participation of countries in this event [U-20 World Cup] has no connection to whether or not a participating country is liked or not by another,” the envoy said at the Palestinian Embassy office in Jakarta on Wednesday.
Memento Maxima Digital MarketingHe pointed out that last year when Qatar hosted the FIFA World Cup, wherein Israel’s national soccer team participated, many countries and participating teams still expressed support for Palestine in spite of it.
“This shows that Palestine is in the hearts of many across the world. I am sure that Palestine is also in the heart of Indonesia as a nation and as a country,” Al-Shun said.
He added that he was certain Indonesia’s support for the Palestinian cause would never change and would remain consistent as expressed in many international forums, such as at the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva last month, where Foreign Minister Retno LP Marsudi highlighted the struggles of the Palestinian people. Read also: MUI awaiting government response over Israeli U-20 team
“I reiterate that Palestinian leaders are sure that Indonesia will not change its consistent support of Palestine,” the ambassador said.
Indonesia is set to host the 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup from May 20 to June 11 this year.
However, the participation of Israel, which qualified for the competition after securing a spot in the 2022 U-19 EURO Cup in Slovakia last year, prompted debate among Muslim groups who reacted strongly against Israel’s participation in the competition this year.
The Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI), for instance, has called on the government to explain its decision to allow the Israeli team to take part in the U-20 World Cup.
The Foreign Ministry said hosting the U-20 World Cup would not weaken Indonesia’s position on Palestine.
“Indonesia is one of the few countries that is consistent in supporting the cause of the Palestinian people,” Foreign Ministry spokesperson Teuku Faizasyah said in a press conference last Friday.
Newly minted Soccer Association of Indonesia (PSSI) chairman Erick Thohir is currently in Rwanda for the 73rd FIFA congress, where he is expected to express Indonesia’s readiness to host the U-20 competition, amid concerns of safety for the Israeli national team.
Indonesia, a nation of soccer fanatics and home to the largest Muslim population in the world, is a strong proponent of P.alestine’s struggle against the illegal occupation of Israel.
Click to read: https://www.thejakartapost.com/world/2023/03/15/palestinian-envoy-unnerved-by-israeli-participation-in-u-20-world-cup-hosted-by-indonesia.html.
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A. Muh. Ibnu Aqil
(The Jakarta Post)
Jakarta
● Thu, March 16, 2023
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