As expected, the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI), known for its conservative views of Islam, has called on the government to take into consideration all possible repercussions for allowing entry to Israel’s young soccer players.

Indeed, in the past the government prohibited Indonesian athletes from playing Israeli sportsmen or women or banned the Israelis from any tournament Indonesia hosted in a show of solidarity with Palestine. As a result, Indonesia has received punishments and fines from international sports organizations.

In 1958 Indonesia was disqualified from the World Cup qualification after refusing to play home and away matches against Israel. In 1962 the government rejected the participation of Israel in the Asian Games, prompting the International Olympic Organization to punish Indonesia. In 2006 Indonesia was fined and almost expelled from the International Tennis Federation after withdrawing from the Fed Cup held in Tel Aviv.  

There has been encouraging development of late in the way the government supports and respects the Olympic spirit of universalism, which knows no political, religious or racial borders. In 2015, although reluctantly, Indonesia granted a visa to badminton player Misha Zilbermain of Israel in order to compete in the World Championship in Jakarta.  

Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Zainudin Amali said there should be no qualms about Israel’s participation in the U-20 World Cup as the matter had been discussed and agreed upon by all parties, including Indonesia as the host, since 2019. All teams that qualify for the tournament will be allowed to play on Indonesian turf. The matches will be played in Jakarta; Palembang, South Sumatra; Bandung, West Java; Surakarta, Central Java; Surabaya, East Java; and Denpasar, Bali.

Israel is eligible for the finals to be held from May 20 through June 11, 2023 after finishing second behind England in Group B and reaching the semifinals of the European Cup recently.

The Foreign Ministry, too, does not consider the presence of the Israeli team in the country a big deal as the event falls under the auspices of the world soccer body, FIFA. Spokesman for the ministry, Teuku Faizasyah, said Indonesia’s granting of visas to Israeli citizens is not unprecedented. The Immigration office gave two Knesset members an entry to participate in the International Parliamentary Union (IPU) congress Indonesia hosted in Bali in March. The visas were awarded because the invitation to attend the congress came from the IPU, not the House of Representatives as representative of Indonesia in the IPU.

For whatever reason, sports must be separated from politics. The Olympic movement and the world of sports in general clearly denounce all forms of political intervention. In particular FIFA has attempted to keep soccer out of politics, and ensure each national soccer federation upholds the rule.

As a good host, Indonesia is responsible for providing the best facilities that will support all the participating teams, including Israel, to perform well. Indonesia should also ensure the safety of all the players.