jfid – Jakarta, July 19, 2024 – The Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) has recently issued a call for the Indonesian public to boycott Israel’s participation in the 2024 Paris Olympics as a form of protest against Israel’s acts of violence in Palestine. This call has received various responses from the public and international parties.
MUI’s Call and Its Rationale
MUI’s boycott call is based on a protest against the violence committed by Israel against Palestinians, especially in Gaza.
MUI emphasized that this boycott is one way to exert political pressure on Israel and to show solidarity with the Palestinian struggle.
According to Ikhsan Abdullah, Deputy Secretary General of MUI, the boycott action also aims to promote the use of domestic products.
Support and Opposition Within the Country
Domestically, MUI’s call has received support from various groups, including community organizations and several public figures. However, there are concerns that this boycott could harm Indonesia’s economy.
Many Indonesian workers employed by companies related to Israel could lose their jobs if the boycott is fully implemented.
International Reaction
Internationally, MUI’s boycott call aligns with a broader campaign from various countries and organizations supporting Palestine.
In Switzerland, hundreds of people held demonstrations demanding that Israel be banned from competing in the 2024 Olympics.
Additionally, the campaign to exclude Israel from the Paris 2024 Olympics has gained support from more than 370,000 petition signatories.
On the other hand, there are also voices supporting Israel’s participation in the Olympics. French President Emmanuel Macron, for instance, defended the International Olympic Committee (IOC) decision allowing Israeli athletes to compete under their country’s flag, despite Israel’s military attacks on Gaza that have killed thousands of Palestinians.
Potential Impact on the Olympics and International Relations
If the boycott call gains widespread support, it could significantly impact Israel’s participation in the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Given the case of Russia, which was banned from competing under their national flag due to their invasion of Ukraine, Israel might face a similar situation.
International sanctions could prevent Israel from participating in international sports events, which would undoubtedly affect global diplomatic and geopolitical relations.
Conclusion
MUI’s call for a boycott of Israel at the 2024 Paris Olympics reflects strong solidarity with the Palestinian struggle but also raises debates about economic and social impacts domestically.
The international community’s response shows support for taking firm action against human rights violations, but implementing such a boycott will require extensive cooperation and coordination.
