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Hundreds of thousands of Indonesians have been protesting the Israeli Gaza offensive for days. (Reuters) |
JAKARTA — A recent cooperation agreement between Muhammadiyah, Indonesia’s second biggest Muslim organization, and an Israeli state-run organization is sending shockwaves across the Asian Muslim heavyweight, especially with the ongoing Israeli onslaught against Gaza.
"Neither the government nor any local organizations should open any kind of cooperation with Israel, until they return back the Palestinian land to its people," MP Sutan Batugana told IslamOnline.net.
Last October, the Muhammadiyah-run Rescue and Emergency Organization signed a $200,000 medical cooperation agreement with Israel's national emergency medical service organization Magen David Adom (MDA).
A high-profile delegation of Muhammadiyah, the oldest and second largest Islamic social welfare organization in the world, visited Tel Aviv to sign the agreement.
But the deal is infuriating many Indonesians who vehemently oppose any ties with an entity which has oppressed the Palestinian people for decades.
"Do we recognize Israel as a state? Think about that before opening relations," fumed Ganjar Pranowo, a second lawmaker.
Indonesia, the world's most populous Muslim nation, has historically been a staunch supporter of the Palestinian cause and does not recognize Israel.
Angry Muslim students stormed a Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurant Thursday in protest against Israel's onslaught against the Gaza Strip.
About 300 protesters gathered outside the US fast food outlet in Palu, Central Sulawesi, waving Palestinian flags, burning US and Israeli emblems and carrying banners condemning Israel as a "terrorist and criminal" state.
The Israeli offensive, which began on December 27, has so far killed more than 702 Palestinians and wounded 3,100.
Mutual Benefit?
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| Dr. Ahmad Rumadi, a professor of Islamic Law History, believes ties with Israel serve mutual interests. |
Hamzah Fansuri, an activist in an NGO in the northern province of Aceh, has no problem with having ties with Israel, but he believes the timing is not ripe.
Other Indonesians are openly with establishing cooperation and normal relations with Israel.
"Why not? Fatah itself has relations with Israel, why can't we," says Gamal Ferdhi, a Youth activist at Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), the largest Muslim organization in Indonesia and the world.
Muhammad Jauhari, a police officer, believes that through talks there might be a better chance to stop Israel's oppression of the Palestinians.
"We see the military approach pursued by Hamas is not effective to stop the killing," he argued.
Dr. Ahmad Rumadi, a professor of Islamic Law History at the National Islamic University (UIN) and an NU activist, believes it's all about mutual interests.
"Remember, it’s not a singular consciousness."
Muhammad Hidayat, chairman of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce, says Indonesia can benefit from Israel's "expertise" in several fields.
"We learn the irrigation system from Israel," he told IOL.
But not everyone agrees with the mutual benefit theory.
Ali Al-Hamid, of the Islamic Defender Front (FPI), blames the growing number of Indonesian groups accepting relations with Israeli entities to money and influence groups.
"I heard that Muhammadiyah and NU got finance indirectly from the Jews," he said.
"It makes the normalization going smoothly."
Israeli groups usually get access to groups in Muslim organizations through some liberal members in these organizations.
"The closeness of some Muslim figures here with the Jews community could be a big chance for the cooperation with Israel."
Ali insists that the sole winner of any such relations is always the Israeli side.
"It’s not about mutual consciousness but purely one-side interest for Israel to spread influence into Muslim communities."
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