The leader of Indonesia's largest Muslim organization held a surprise meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem on Thursday.
Yahya Staquf, secretary general of the 60 million-member Nahdlatul Ulama, is visiting Israel at the invitation of the American Jewish Committee, a U.S. advocacy group.
Israel and Indonesia do not maintain diplomatic relations, and Staquf's visit, which included a tour of the Temple Mount, has prompted protests in Indonesia.
Staquf, an advocate of interfaith coexistence, met with several religious leaders this week. However, Thursday's meeting with Netanyahu was not listed on his schedule.
Netanyahu noted Israel's warming ties with Muslim countries, saying, "I hope that we have some movement with Indonesia."
Staquf said, "Jews and Muslims need to put aside their mutual suspicions."
Indonesia recently revoked tourist visas for Israeli visitors to protest Israeli actions in Gaza. In response, Israel has threatened to ban tourist visas for Indonesians.
