Indonesia’s Nahdlatul Ulama asks chairman to resign over Israel invite

Jakarta, November 22, 2025 – Indonesia’s largest Islamic organisation, Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), has asked its chairman, Yahya Cholil Staquf, to step down following a controversial invitation he extended earlier this year. NU, the world’s biggest Islamic organisation with around 100 million members, gave Staquf three days to resign or face removal from his position.

The controversy stems from Staquf inviting Peter Berkowitz, an American scholar known for his strong support of Israel, to an internal NU training event in August. Berkowitz has publicly defended Israel’s actions in Gaza and criticized Palestinian leadership, which drew sharp criticism from NU’s leadership.

In addition to the invite, NU cited concerns about alleged financial mismanagement under Staquf’s tenure. The organisation’s official, Najib Azca, explained that the leadership felt the invitation to Berkowitz was inappropriate given NU’s longstanding support for Palestinian rights and Indonesia’s diplomatic stance, which does not recognise Israel.

Staquf, who has been chairman since 2021, has apologised for the incident, calling it an oversight for not checking Berkowitz’s background thoroughly. He has not responded further to calls for comment.

NU’s Secretary-General, Yusuf Saifullah, urged members to stay calm and not be influenced by misleading reports, emphasizing that senior leadership is handling the matter through internal procedures.

Indonesia, the world’s most populous Muslim-majority country, has consistently condemned Israel’s military actions in Gaza and advocates for a two-state solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict. The invitation to Berkowitz, given his pro-Israel stance, was seen as contrary to the organisation’s values and Indonesia’s official position.

The issue has sparked significant attention in Indonesia and internationally, as NU works to resolve the internal dispute while maintaining its global reputation.