Nahdlatul Ulama Demands Resignation of Chairman Over Israel Invite

Post by : Raina Nasser

Jakarta, November 22, 2025 – Indonesia’s prominent Islamic organization, Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), has urged its chairman, Yahya Cholil Staquf, to resign following a contentious invitation he issued earlier this year. NU, which boasts approximately 100 million members, has given Staquf a three-day ultimatum to step down or risk being removed from office.

The uproar originated from Staquf’s invitation to Peter Berkowitz, an American academic recognized for his unwavering support of Israel, to participate in an internal NU training session in August. Berkowitz has openly defended Israel’s actions in Gaza and has critiqued Palestinian leadership, which prompted backlash from NU’s leaders.

Alongside the invitation, NU has raised concerns about potential financial mismanagement during Staquf’s leadership. Official Najib Azca conveyed that many within the organization viewed the invitation to Berkowitz as inappropriate, given NU’s historical support for Palestinian rights and Indonesia’s official stance of not recognizing Israel.

Staquf, who has held the chairmanship since 2021, has expressed regret over the situation, calling it a misstep for not adequately vetting Berkowitz. No further remarks have been made to address calls for his resignation.

Yusuf Saifullah, NU’s Secretary-General, encouraged members to remain calm and not be swayed by misleading narratives, stressing that senior leadership is managing the issue through appropriate internal channels.

As the world’s most populous Muslim-majority nation, Indonesia has consistently condemned Israel’s military operations in Gaza and promotes a two-state resolution to the Israel-Palestine dilemma. Berkowitz’s invitation, given his pro-Israel viewpoint, was perceived as inconsistent with both the organization’s principles and the nation’s diplomatic position.

This issue has garnered substantial attention both within Indonesia and beyond, while NU strives to resolve this internal conflict and uphold its international reputation.