Thursday, June 1, 2023

President Receives Palestinian Envoy amid Israel Debate over U-20 World Cup

Heru Andriyanto
March 24, 2023 | 10:29 pm
SHARE
Palestinian Ambassador Zuhair Al-Shun, left, is received by President Joko Widodo at the Merdeka Palace in Jakarta on March 24, 2023. (Photo Courtesy of the State Secretariat)
Palestinian Ambassador Zuhair Al-Shun, left, is received by President Joko Widodo at the Merdeka Palace in Jakarta on March 24, 2023. (Photo Courtesy of the State Secretariat)

Jakarta. President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo received a visit by the Palestinian ambassador to Indonesia on Friday in an apparent attempt to counter domestic voices opposing Israel’s participation in the upcoming FIFA U-20 World Cup hosted by the Southeast Asian country.

Indonesia has no diplomatic ties with Israel in the country’s support for the sovereign State of Palestine.

But the government is determined to make its first-ever FIFA tournament a success in the football-loving country, which also has the biggest Muslim population in the world.

Israel qualified for the Indonesian edition of the U-20 World Cup after competing in the European zone, which also sends England, France, Italy, and Slovakia to the final rounds.

Advertisement

Indonesia Officially Announced as Host of 2021 U-20 FIFA World Cup

Palestinian Ambassador Zuhair Al-Shun expressed gratitude for Indonesia’s “unwavering support for the Palestinian people” during the meeting at the Merdeka Palace in Jakarta.

The president was accompanied by Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi during the meeting.

But the envoy didn’t say anything about the football tournament.

“The Indonesian president keeps following closely on the ground developments in Palestine and in this regard the Indonesian government strongly denounces various infringements and violating policies committed by Israel. That’s what the Indonesian president told me today,” Zuhair said after the closed-door meeting as quoted by the State Secretariat website.

“We believe that Indonesia will never change and we also witness the consistent support from the government and all elements in Indonesia,” he added.

No Issue with Israel Participating in U-20 World Cup: Indonesia

The meeting came after Bali Governor I Wayan Koster sent a letter to the government rejecting any Israeli match to be held on the predominantly Hindu island.

The governor, however, seemed forgetful that an Israeli parliament delegation visited the resort island last year to attend the 144th Inter-Parliamentary Union conference.

Only three months ago, an Israeli team competed at the Esport World Championship in Nusa Dua, Bali.

Several Israeli athletes have competed on Indonesian soil without major issues in the past.

In 2015, badminton player Misha Zilberman played at the BWF world championship in Jakarta. Last September, Yuval Shemla participated in the World Sport Climbing competition in Jakarta. 

Erick Thohir Leads Local Committee for U20 World Cup

Tags: Keywords:
SHARE

POPULAR READS


Lifestyle 4 hours ago

Jordan's Future King, Saudi Bride to Tie the Knot 

The union of Crown Prince Hussein, 28, and Rajwa Alseif, 29, may even help Jordan forge a strategic bond with oil-rich Saudi Arabia.
Business 6 hours ago

Looming Bauxite Export Ban Not Well-Thought-Out: Think Tank

Indonesia may be far from ready once the bauxite export ban enters into force, according to Indef.
Opinion 14 hours ago

How US Debt Affects the Indonesian Economy?

In Indonesia, a weaker US dollar can lead to inflation and higher import costs, as many goods are priced in US dollars. 
Business 20 hours ago

Business Newspaper Investor Daily Launches New Look

The introduction of the new look reflects the new spirit of the management to bring the paper closer to its loyal readers.
Business 21 hours ago

19 Companies Emerge as Winners at B-Universe CSR Awards

The awards recognize the success of the companies’ corporate social responsibility initiatives.
COPYRIGHT © 2023 JAKARTA GLOBE. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED