President Jokowi: Israel Competing at the U20 World Cup Will Not Compromise Indonesia's Stance on Palestine

JAKARTADAILY.ID – Indonesian President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) affirmed that Israel's participation in the U-20 World Cup will not affect Indonesia's consistent foreign policy position towards Palestine.

The President stated in a press release on Tuesday, March 28, 2023, at the Merdeka Palace in Jakarta, that Indonesia's support for Palestine has always been firm and unwavering.

The Indonesian government concurred with the Palestinian Ambassador to Indonesia, Zuhair Al-Shun, on the matter of the U-20 World Cup. The President emphasized that FIFA has regulations that its members must comply with, and sports and politics should not be intertwined.

Indonesia has persistently fought for and supported the independence of the Palestinian people while advocating for a two-state solution for the state of Israel and an independent Palestinian state.

The President disclosed that Indonesia's selection as the host for the U-20 World Cup underwent a long bidding and selection process. Indonesia surpassed the other two candidates, Brazil and Peru, and was appointed as the host by FIFA in October 2019.

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The President stated that this appointment was a source of pride for the Indonesian people because they were entrusted with organizing the U-20 World Cup, a global sporting event with the most fans.

The President clarified that Indonesia did not know which team would participate in the U-20 World Cup when appointed as the host since it was still in the pre-qualification process.

Regarding the rejection of Israel's participation in the U-20 World Cup, which was also conveyed to FIFA, the President assured that the government and the All Indonesian Football Association (PSSI) were attempting to find the best solution.

The President stated that he had dispatched the General Chairperson of PSSI, Mr. Erick Thohir, to meet with the FIFA team to find the optimal solution. The government and the PSSI were still endeavoring to find the best solution, according to the President.

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