Zainul explained that the meeting with Isaac Herzoq was part of a series of field research activities regarding the lives of Muslims in Israel, which started from June 30th to July 5th, 2024. "Don't say that I am pro-Israel. No. I am pro-humanity, that what Israel is doing is cruel. This is about Gaza, right? Well, that's it. But it's impossible for me to hit the president. That's impossible. Impossible," he said.

In the agenda, Zainul Maarif said there was an additional event to meet with the President of Israel. He took the opportunity to speak about peace. "How is it possible for someone like me, who is nobody, who doesn't claim to be important, I'm not Gus Dur, I'm not Gus Yahya, I'm just an ordinary person. But this is an opportunity to meet with the president and this is actually an additional event, the main focus is interfaith dialogue, this is an opportunity," expressed Zainul.

"Thus, as a Muslim and also as a preacher, I am part of the greatest jihad according to Prophet Muhammad, which is to reveal the truth in front of oppressive leaders. So, it is not about anything else, it is not about showing off with the president," he added. He apologized to the NU organization and the Indonesian society for meeting with Isaac Herzog. Zainul emphasized that his meeting was purely for research purposes."

"To the people of Indonesia, especially the Muslim community, and especially to Nahdatul Ulama, the organization I belong to, regarding the recent discomfort that has arisen from my visit to Palestine and Israel," said Zainul. Zainul considers this action as a great lesson for himself personally. He believes that good intentions and actions sometimes do not necessarily have good effects."