Disclaimer: This article is an editorial that highlights the problems in Indonesia today

PIKIRAN RAKYAT - Five Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) figures are causing controversy and were criticized after one of them uploaded a moment of a meeting with the President of Occupying Israel, Isaac Herzog.

The spokesman for the Indonesian Republic's Ministry of International Relations (Kemenlu), Roy Soemirat, said that the actions of the five Nahdliyyin (NU members) had nothing to do with the government's position.

"Regarding the visit of several young NU figures to Israel, the media should simply contact the Nahdlatul Ulama General Manager (PBNU) for more information," Roy said on Monday, July 15, 2024.

"The Ministry of International Relations is not in a position to comment on the visit as it really does not correspond in any way with the official position of the Government of the Republic of Indonesia," he continued, emphasising Indonesia's position as a country firmly on the side of Palestine.

The Secretary General of the Presidency of the Nahdlatul Ulama (PBNU), Saifullah Yusuf (Gus Ipul), responded. He said he would summon the five people who had met Isaac Herzog.

"The person concerned will be summoned to be asked for information and a deeper explanation regarding the purpose, background and who sent them, as well as other important matters," he said in a statement on Monday, 15 July 2024.

Not only that, but Gus Ipul also intends to summon the heads of the autonomous institutions (banom) and institutions to which the five people have devoted themselves in the near future.

"The President General will also summon the heads of the banom and institutions where the person concerned has served," he said. Gus Ipul went on to say that if in the end it is proven that there were organisational violations, it is not impossible that the five people will be dismissed as administrators of the institution or autonomous institution.

Leader of Nahdlatul Ulama General Manager (PBNU), Savic Ali, ensured that the five NU members whom met with the Israeli President Isaac Herzog will be held accountable for their actions tomorrow, on Tuesday, 16 July 2024.

Savic Ali explained that his party had decided to summon the five people whose photos had gone viral and caused controversy on social media. There is still a lot of criticism online.

"Yes, we will summon (all five) tomorrow," he said, on Monday, 15 July 2024. Savic Ali also added that he would only summon those who are administered as Nahdlatul Ulama's administrators and cadres.

If you look closely, there are many people in the viral photo. But in fact, there were five Nahdliyyin at the meeting.

"Nahdlatul Ulama will summon those who are administered as administrators and cadres, because not all those present there are NU cadres," said Savic Ali.***(Politeknik Negeri Bandung/Yeurley Arba Nabila)