Desty Luthfiani, Jakarta – Husein, the field coordinator for the group of hardline protestors against the participation of Israel's national football team in the U-20 World Cup – which was supposed to be held in Indonesia before FIFA revoked that – said that the group is thankful for FIFA stripping Indonesia as a host for the international competition.
"We are thankful that the U-20 World Cup in Indonesia has been canceled officially by FIFA," said Husein to Tempo in a phone interview on March 30.
The group that dubs itself the 203 Action (Aksi 203) has been vocal in rejecting Israel's participation in the event that was scheduled to be held in Indonesia despite the government guaranteeing the safety of the Israeli team.
"This is what we have been strongly rejecting since the beginning," said Husein. "Honestly, we are not rejecting the U-20 World Cup because that is beneficial for Indonesia's economy and image internationally."
According to him, the Aksi 203 – which consists of protesters from religious mass organizations FPI, GNPF, and the 212 alumni – sees the acceptance of the Israeli national team as a betrayal of the constitution and hurts the Palestinians he insists are currently still colonized.
"Hopefully this can be a lesson for anyone in the government, never accept the arrival of the Israeli occupation state officially, whatever the agenda. Because that is a violation and a betrayal of the constitution," he said.