Invitation of Gaza War Supporter for Indonesian Religious Post Sparks Controversy
The Central Council of Nahdlatul Ulama has requested that Yahya Cholil Staquf, the head of the religious body, step down after inviting an American researcher who supports Israel to an internal event earlier this year, according to webangah News Agency citing Mehr News Agency adn Al Jazeera.
The council has given Staquf three days to resign or face removal from his position. The organization condemned his invitation as unacceptable, describing the guest as “affiliated with the international Zionist network.”
Staquf apologized for inviting Peter Berkowitz, a researcher and former U.S. State Department official known for backing Israel’s war on Gaza. He said he had not thoroughly checked Berkowitz’s background.
Indonesia, home to over 270 million Muslims, has consistently condemned Israeli actions in Gaza.
