Indonesia's biggest Islamic organization has demanded the resignation of its chairman after he invited a US scholar with pro-Israeli views to an internal event, escalating tensions within the world's largest Muslim-majority nation over its stance on the Gaza war.

Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), which represents approximately 100 million members globally, issued a three-day ultimatum to Chairman Yahya Cholil Staquf to step down or face removal, according to meeting minutes from a Thursday session reviewed by Reuters.

The controversy centers on Staquf's August invitation to Peter Berkowitz, a former US official and scholar known for his support of "Israel's" genocidal campaign on Gaza. NU official Najib Azca told Reuters the decision was directly linked to this invitation, with the organization citing Staquf's engagement with someone "affiliated with an International Zionism network" as grounds for his ouster.

Berkowitz frequently writes in support of "Israel's" war on Gaza and published an article in September attempting to refute genocide allegations against "Israel", according to his website. He spoke at NU seminars about Western political thought history in August.

Staquf, who has served as NU chairman since 2021, apologized for the invitation, calling it an oversight and stating he had not carefully vetted Berkowitz's background. He condemned what he described as "Israel's" "brutal genocidal acts in Gaza," according to Reuters.

Pattern of controversial engagement

This latest incident represents only the most recent in a series of controversies surrounding Staquf's willingness to normalize with "Israel". In June 2018, Staquf visited occupied al-Quds and met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, triggering fierce condemnation from Indonesian politicians who called the trip "a national embarrassment." During that visit, he addressed the American Jewish Committee's Global Forum, calling for compassion between Muslims and Jews.

In July 2024, five young NU activists traveled to the entity without organizational approval and met with Israeli President Isaac Herzog. Instagram photos showing the group with Herzog sparked widespread outrage. Staquf issued a public apology, calling the visit "inappropriate" and "tone-deaf", though critics argued he bore responsibility for creating an organizational culture that permitted such engagement.

Widespread Indonesian opposition to 'Israel'

The incident highlights the intense pressure facing Indonesian leaders who show any openness toward "Israel". NU joins other major Islamic organizations in Indonesia, collectively representing over 200 million Muslims, in vocally opposing any normalization with "Israel".

Indonesia, home to approximately 280 million people, including 242 million Muslims, has no diplomatic relations with "Israel" and has routinely condemned Israeli crimes in Gaza since the war erupted in October 2023.

While the Indonesian government has long been an advocate of the "two-state solution" on occupied Palestine, public opinion in Indonesia is less favorable of it.

A June 2025 survey by MEDIAN, a Jakarta-based research company, found that 74.9 percent of respondents believe Indonesia should never establish diplomatic relations with "Israel". Support for a "two-state solution" plummeted from 40.5 percent in February 2025 to just 30.2 percent by June.

Shifting official stances

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, who took office in October 2024, has adopted a carefully calibrated position. During a May 2025 press conference with French President Emmanuel Macron, Prabowo stated that "once Israel recognizes Palestine, Indonesia is ready to recognize Israel and open the diplomatic relationship."

Indonesia and "Israel" maintain quiet contacts in trade, security, and tourism despite the absence of formal relations. Annual trade between the two amounts to approximately $500 million, mostly routed through third countries.

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto announced #Indonesia's willingness to establish formal diplomatic relations with the Israeli regime, but only if "Israel" first recognizes a #Palestinian state. The announcement came during talks with French President #EmmanuelMacron in… pic.twitter.com/Ub1SDvcvqd

— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) May 28, 2025