Indonesia president says Israel's participation in World Cup has nothing to do with politics

Indonesian President Joko Widodo arrives at the European Council headquarters in Brussels on December 14, 2022, as the EU-ASEAN Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit. Widodo said on March 28, 2023 that Israel's participation in the Under 20 World Cup in his country meant no change to its foreign policy, despite domestic protests that sport and politics should not be mixed. After the draw for next month's tournament cancelled due to opposition to Israel, Joko Widodo said he had sent Erick Thohir, a cabinet minister and former Inter Milan chairman who heads the national football association PSSI to the world governing body FIFA.

Jokowi, as the president, underlined Indonesia's support for Palestine and a two-state solution, and said Israel's qualification was secured long after his country won hosting rights.

In a livestreamed address, he said, Israel's participation has nothing to do with the consistency of our foreign policy position toward Palestine.

Do not mix sports and politics. Indonesia has no formal diplomatic ties with Israel and protesters have recently held marches demanding Israel be stopped from participating in the 24 team event from May 20 -- June 11.

Indonesia's population is predominantly Muslim and most practice a moderate version of Islam, though a rise in religious conservatism has crept into politics in recent years.

The PSSI said this week's draw for the tournament had been cancelled after the governor of the largely Hindu holiday island of Bali refused to host Israel's team.

The Ministry of Youth and Sports has been warned by Wayan Koster that they should not allow the Israeli team from competing in the Bali media reports, citing a letter from Koster.

Koster's office did not respond immediately to a request for comment. The governor told media on Monday he was following a government position. Israel's football association has been contacted for comment.

A FIFA spokeswoman said the tournament venues had concluded but did not comment on the PSSI chairman's meeting or when a draw could be held.

Jokowi did not make a mention of what Erick would propose to FIFA on Tuesday.

Erick said the issue was not an easy matter to answer. READ MORE: Indonesia will shift part of fuel subsidy to welfare programs.

The country was suspended from FIFA for a year until May 2016 due to government interference, and the draw cancellation raised fears that it might lose its hosting rights and plunge Indonesian football into isolation.

Indonesia is trying to rebuild its reputation after a stampede at a stadium in East Java last year resulted in the deaths of 135 spectators, many crushed as they fled for exits after police fired tear gas into the crowd.

Muhadjir Effendy, the acting sports minister, said late on Tuesday that a solution must be found and that hosting the tournament was crucial for Indonesian football.

There are still possibilities, he said. FIFA is very appreciative of what's happening in Indonesia.