Novie Fauziah, Jakarta – Indonesia's largest Muslim organization, Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), denounced five Muslim scholars on Monday who recently visited Israel and met with President Isaac Herzog.

While local media reports have linked the three men and two women who made the trip to Israel to the organization, NU's Secretary-General Saifullah Yusuf stated that their visit was made without NU's consent or permission.

He described the visit, which occurred amid the ongoing Israeli military campaign against Palestinians, as "unwise" and said it "hurts the feelings" of Indonesian Muslims.

"Their trip to Israel is very unwise and confusing, and it has stirred widespread condemnation. Their visit hurts our feelings," he said.

Nahdlatul Ulama will summon them for clarification about the trip to Israel. "We need to know the purpose of their visit, the surrounding circumstances, and who sponsored them," he said.

Local media reports identified the five individuals as Syukron Makmun, Zainul Maarif, Munawar Aziz, Nurul Bahrul Ulum, and Izza Annafisah Dania.

Zainul teaches Islamic civilization at Nahdlatul Ulama University, while Munawar is a registered member of NU's representative unit in the UK.

Nurul reportedly works at the Australia-Indonesia Muslim Exchange Program (AIMEP) and the Australia-ASEAN Muslim Exchange Program (AAMEP). She is a graduate of the State Islamic University (IAIN) in Cirebon.

A Foreign Affairs Ministry spokesman declined to comment on the meeting, saying he cannot comment on activities by private citizens.

Indonesia has no diplomatic relations with Israel although both countries engage in bilateral trade.

Source: https://jakartaglobe.id/news/nu-regrets-members-meeting-with-israeli-presiden