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Indonesia's FIFA U-20 World Cup fiasco: Unraveling a foreign policy paradox
This incident has portrayed Indonesia as a nation unwilling to separate politics from sports, which may diminish the trust and goodwill of other countries in future diplomatic engagements.
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Leather puppet artisan Margono makes 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup- themed characters at Semanggi Harmoni Small and Medium Industry Center in Surakarta, Central Java, on March 30. FIFA decided to remove Indonesia as host of the tournament. (Antara/Maulana Surya)
I
ndonesia's loss of the rights to host the 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup has exposed a foreign policy paradox that the country must address.
The debacle began when Indonesian politicians and conservative groups publicly denounced Israel's participation in the tournament due to their ardent support of the Palestinian cause. Subsequently, FIFA canceled the tournament's draw, and Indonesia lost its hosting rights, marking a significant embarrassment for the country and its soccer.
This incident highlights the need for Indonesia to reassess its foreign policy stance toward Israel and the broader Middle East.
Indonesia's foreign policy paradox is rooted in its Constitution and the principles that have guided its approach to international relations since gaining independence. As the world's most populous Muslim-majority nation, Indonesia has often aligned its foreign policy with the concerns of the broader Islamic world, which traditionally includes support for the Palestinian cause.
The Constitution's preamble enshrines the country's commitment to an independent foreign policy based on the principles of peaceful coexistence, mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, and non-interference in the domestic affairs of other nations. These principles have been manifested in Indonesia's unwavering support for Palestine and opposition to Israel, given the ongoing conflict and the perceived injustices facing the Palestinian people.
However, this steadfast support for Palestine has led to Indonesia's hostile stance toward Israel, a position that has become increasingly untenable in recent years. With several Arab states establishing diplomatic relations with Israel and recognizing that peace with the Jewish nation and support for Palestine do not have to be mutually exclusive, Indonesia's refusal to engage with Israel has left it isolated from the diplomatic progress taking place in the region.
From a foreign policy perspective, Indonesia's isolation on this issue raises questions about the compatibility of its principles with the evolving realities of the Middle East. While remaining true to its constitutional principles, Indonesia must find a way to adapt its foreign policy to the changing dynamics of the region in order to remain an effective and relevant actor on the international stage.
