"Neither the government nor any local organizations should open any kind of cooperation with Israel, until they return back the Palestinian land to its people," MP Sutan Batugana told IslamOnline.net.

Last October, the Muhammadiyah-run Rescue and Emergency Organization signed a $200,000 medical cooperation agreement with Israel's national emergency medical service organization Magen David Adom (MDA).

A high-profile delegation of Muhammadiyah, the oldest and second largest Islamic social welfare organization in the world, visited Tel Aviv to sign the agreement.

But the deal is infuriating many Indonesians who vehemently oppose any ties with an entity which has oppressed the Palestinian people for decades.

"Do we recognize Israel as a state? Think about that before opening relations," fumed Ganjar Pranowo, a second lawmaker.

Indonesia, the world's most populous Muslim nation, has historically been a staunch supporter of the Palestinian cause and does not recognize Israel.

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