Bali and Middle Java Reject Israel National Team in FIFA U-20 World Cup

Liputan6.com, Jakarta - Two Indonesian governors openly reject the presence of the Israel national football team in their regions. Indonesia has been preparing to be the host of the FIFA U-20 World Cup. Israel is one of the participants.

Israel's occupation in Palestine often incurs public vehemence in Indonesia where Islam is the religion of majority.

One of the governors who rejects Israel is Governor I Wayan Koster of Bali. His rejection is quite surprising since Bali is not a Muslim-majority area and often very welcoming for the Western visitors.

In a letter to the Ministry of Sports, the governor asks the ministry to "forbid the team from the state of Israel to join the match in Bali Province".

"We, the government of Bali province, affirm to reject the participation of the team of the state of Israel to have a match in Bali Province," wrote Governor Koster.

Koster further argues that the rejection is important in relation to Indonesian diplomatic relations with other countries. Currently, Indonesia does not have official diplomatic relations with Israel.

Not long after Bali's rejection, Governor Ganjar Pranowo of Middle Java also firmly rejected the Israel team to play in his province. The governor says the first President Soekarno gave the mandate to support Palestine which is under Israel's occupation. 

Both Governor Ganjar and Governor Koster are from the ruling party Indonesian Democratic Party Struggle (PDI-P). 

"As a cadre of PDI Perjuangan, I hold firmly the message of Bung Karno to keep supporting Palestine as voiced during the Asia-Africa Conference, Non-Bloc Movement, and Conference of the New Emerging Force," said Ganjar. 

"Bung" is a friendly honorific to address a fellow. Soekarno was often addressed with "bung".

Ganjar also pointed out the controversy in Israel's government which rejected the existence of Palestine. The statement came from the Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich. Several governments, including Indonesia and the United States, have criticized Smotrich's rhetoric.

"Thus, important for us to voice out our support the struggle for Palestine's independence," said Ganjar Pranowo. He also hopes the tournament can go on without Israel.