Ismail Haniyeh Assassinated: Former Indonesian VP Jusuf Kalla Pays Tribute to the Hamas Leader

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Jusuf Kalla expressed his condolences for the passing of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, Iran on Wednesday, July 31, 2024. In a video message, he lauded Haniyeh as a figure with strong leadership.

Kalla also talked about his meeting with Haniyeh earlier this month, where he said Haniyeh hoped to visit Indonesia.

"Innalillahi wainnailaihi raji'un. I extend my condolences on the passing of the late Ismail Haniyeh," said Kalla. “Haniyeh was a Palestinian fighter in Gaza. He had strong leadership in Palestine and Tehran.”

The former Indonesian vice president met Haniyeh in Doha, Qatar, on July 12. Kalla said Haniyeh expressed his desire to achieve peace and a fair resolution in Palestine during the meeting. 

“I’ve always stated that Hamas and Fatah must unite. And on that occasion, (Haniyeh) expressed his wish to unite with Fatah in Beijing,” he said.

"He also hoped to be able to visit Indonesia with Fatah after the Beijing negotiations. But Allah has called upon him today in Tehran, and we hope his dream for peace in Palestine can be achieved,” he said.

Jusuf Kalla referred to the negotiations of the Palestinian factions, including the two rivals Hamas and Fatah, which were held in Beijing for three days starting on July 21, 2024. China announced that Hamas and Fatah agreed to form a unity government.

Hamas and Fatah have long been rivals due to ideological differences and approach to Israel. Hamas chose armed resistance while secularists Fatah believed in negotiations.

The rivalry worsened when Hamas won a landslide victory in parliamentary elections in 2006, defeating Fatah. Hamas then expelled Fatah from Gaza and has become the de facto government in the enclave since 2007.

Jusuf Kalla himself has met Hamas multiple times, including on May 5 in Malaysia. He also conveyed the necessity of a Hamas-Fatah unity during the meeting.  

Hamas and Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) have officially announced Haniyeh's passing. Hamas has blamed Israel for the death, although Israel itself has not claimed responsibility.

Haniyeh, who has lived in Qatar for the rest of his life, has been the face of Hamas' international diplomacy amid the ongoing Israeli onslaught in Gaza. Haniyeh's death as one of Hamas' negotiators is feared to hamper the chances of a ceasefire agreement with Israel in Gaza

Kalla said Haniyeh’s death would “worsen the situation” regarding peace efforts but hoped it could be resolved as well as possible. 

NABIILA AZZAHRA

Editor’s Choice: Indonesian Ex-VP Meets Hamas Political Leader, Conveys Support for Palestine    

Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News