Indonesians protest 'Israel's' participation in U-20 FIFA World Cup
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Dozens of Indonesians march in Jakarta and call for Israeli athletes to be denied a spot in the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Indonesia.
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Protesters march during a protest in Jakarta against the Israeli occupation team's participation in the FIFA World Cup Under-20 in Indonesia, March 20, 2023 (AP)
Dozens of Indonesians on Monday marched in the country's capital, Jakarta, to protest the Israeli occupation's participation in the FIFA World Cup Under-20 set to be hosted by Indonesia from May 20 to June 11.
After a two-year delay due to COVID-19 restrictions, a total of 23 countries and "Israel" are participating in the championship.
Indonesia does not have formal diplomatic relations with the Israeli occupation and is a strong supporter of the Palestinian cause. However, officials say the government will not prevent “Israel” from taking part in the tournament.
Waving Indonesian and Palestinian flags, more than 100 demonstrators gathered in a thoroughfare in downtown Jakarta, calling for the Israeli athletes to be denied a spot in the coming championship.
"Israel’s long history of oppression against the Palestinian people motivates us to strongly reject Israel’s presence in any form in Indonesia," one protester pointed out, as quoted by the Associated Press.
On his part, Indonesia's Foreign Affairs Ministry Spokesperson, Teuku Faizasyah, claimed that the world football governing body FIFA is the only side that decides on the participation of all teams and the rules of the game at the U-20 championship.
"Despite Indonesia’s position as the U-20 host, our country’s consistent stance on Palestine will not waver, not even a little," he told a news briefing.
Read more: Could Indonesia, "Israel" normalize relations? - The Diplomat
