MUI Urges Indonesia to Take Diplomatic Action Following Death of 3 TNI Soldiers in Lebanon

The Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) is urging the Indonesian government to take firm diplomatic steps through bilateral and multilateral channels to demand accountability for the deaths of TNI soldiers resulting from Israel’s attack on a UNIFIL peacekeeping post in Lebanon. MUI has also strongly condemned the Israeli attack on Lebanon. “We call on the Indonesian government to take firm diplomatic action through bilateral and multilateral channels to demand accountability for this incident,” stated Sudarnoto Abdul Hakim, Chairman of MUI’s Foreign Relations and International Cooperation Division, quoting a press release on MUI’s official website on Monday (30/3). MUI firmly condemns Israel’s military action against international peacekeeping forces. He stated that this attack is a clear manifestation of an attitude that increasingly disregards and belittles international law, including the principles of protection for peacekeeping forces under the UN mandate. “This action not only violates international legal norms but also wounds universal humanitarian principles. Peacekeeping forces are present to maintain stability and prevent conflict, not to become targets of violence,” he said. He further stated that the attack on peacekeeping forces is a serious violation that cannot be tolerated. MUI urges that a transparent, independent, and accountable investigation be conducted into this incident. In addition, MUI calls on the UN to immediately carry out an independent investigation and impose appropriate sanctions on the perpetrators of the violation. MUI also calls on the international community not to remain silent in the face of actions that wound international law and humanitarian values. The three TNI soldiers were part of the UNIFIL peacekeeping force in Lebanon and were killed. In its statement, UNIFIL reported that two TNI soldiers who died on Monday succumbed to injuries from an explosion of unknown origin. Meanwhile, TNI soldier Praka Farizal Rhomadhon was killed by a projectile explosion near an Indonesian post in the village of Adchit Al Qusayr on Sunday (29/3). UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and the Indonesian government have strongly condemned the incident. Indonesian Foreign Minister Sugiono has urged an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council in response to this matter. “The safety and security of UN peacekeeping forces cannot be compromised and must be upheld at all times,” Sugiono wrote in a post on X on Tuesday (31/3).