Jokowi Meets Palestinian Ambassador Amidst Rejection Towards Israeli Team

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo held a meeting with the Palestinian Ambassador to Indonesia Zuhair Al-Shun at the Jakarta Presidential Palace on Friday, March 24, 2023. The meeting was held amid a wave of public rejection towards the Israeli national team's arrival in Indonesia for the U-20 World Cup event.

Zuhair claimed that there was no talk about the Israeli national team with Jokowi. He said that the meeting was to convey Ramadan greetings to Jokowi and all Indonesian people.

"We discussed the latest developments in Palestine," said Zuhair explaining the topic of the meeting.

Zuhair received good messages in the form of full support from Jokowi regarding the political situation in Palestine. Indonesia, said Zuhair, has always been in the hearts of Palestinians.

Meanwhile, Palestine always considers Indonesian people, Indonesian policies, and all communities provide full support. "So that the bilateral relations between us will develop better," Zuhair said.

The Israeli national team is qualified to take part in the U-20 World Cup in Indonesia which will be held from May 22 to June 11. The planned arrival of the Israeli team has also drawn criticism from many parties.

The President also met with the chairman of the Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) Yahya Cholil Staquf, also known as Gus Yahya, and Religious Affairs Minister Yaqut Cholil Qoumas. It is not known yet whether they had joined the meeting between Jokowi and Zuhair.

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