The Indonesian Ulema Council warns that allowing Israeli athletes in Jakarta’s 2025 Gymnastics World Championships could spark public anger and harm diplomacy.
Indonesia’s plan to host the 2025 Artistic Gymnastics World Championships has triggered controversy after reports confirmed that Israel would participate. The Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) is now calling on the government to deny entry to Israeli athletes, citing constitutional principles and Indonesia’s longstanding support for Palestinian independence.
MUI’s Strong Opposition
The Artistic Gymnastics World Championships are scheduled to take place at Indonesia Arena in Jakarta from 19–25 October 2025, featuring competitors from around the world — including Israel. In response, MUI has firmly rejected Israel’s potential participation, urging all parties, including the government and event organizers, to act in line with Indonesia’s constitutional values.
MUI Secretary-General Amirsyah Tambunan stressed that allowing Israeli athletes would contradict Indonesia’s foundational principles. “It should be rejected because our constitution clearly states that independence is the right of all nations and that colonialism must be abolished,” Amirsyah said on Tuesday (7/10/2025).
Avoiding a Repeat of the U-20 Controversy
MUI’s Head of Foreign Relations and International Cooperation, Prof. Sudarnoto Abdul Hakim, reminded authorities of the public uproar that led FIFA to revoke Indonesia’s hosting rights for the U-20 World Cup in 2023 due to objections over Israel’s participation.
“Do not let the same mistake happen twice,” Sudarnoto warned. “The government should have anticipated this issue from the start. Indonesia’s commitment to Palestine is not negotiable.”
A Constitutional and Moral Stand
Sudarnoto emphasized that Indonesia’s support for Palestinian independence is not merely political—it is enshrined in the nation’s constitution. He called on government ministries and sports authorities, particularly the Ministry of Youth and Sports (Kemenpora), to ensure that Israeli athletes are not invited.
“As long as Palestine remains under occupation, Indonesia’s position must remain firm. This is a constitutional mandate,” he stated. “Events like this should not provoke public anger or damage the trust of citizens who have always supported Palestine.”
Diplomatic Sensitivity in the Spotlight
The MUI also warned of potential repercussions for Indonesia’s international reputation. According to Sudarnoto, inviting Israeli athletes could undermine the country’s foreign policy stance, especially following president-elect Prabowo Subianto’s recent reaffirmation of support for Palestine at global forums.
“The government must remain focused and cautious,” he added. “We must not waste our national energy on controversies that risk dividing the public.”
Balancing Sports and Solidarity
While Indonesia seeks to uphold its international commitments as a host nation, the MUI insists that moral and constitutional principles must take precedence. Public sentiment in Indonesia remains largely pro-Palestinian, and any perceived normalization with Israel could ignite strong domestic backlash.
The issue now places the government in a delicate position — balancing international sports obligations with domestic expectations and longstanding foreign policy traditions.
The MUI’s firm stance reflects a broader tension between Indonesia’s global sports aspirations and its political solidarity with Palestine. As the 2025 Artistic Gymnastics World Championships draw near, the government faces mounting pressure to uphold national principles while maintaining diplomatic credibility. The outcome will test Indonesia’s ability to navigate global sports diplomacy without compromising its moral identity.
Sources: Tirto.id (2025) , Kompas.com (2025)
Keywords: MUI, Israel Athletes, Indonesia Gymnastics, Palestine Diplomacy, Jakarta 2025
