Prabowo changes Indonesia’s narrative on Palestine

Indonesia’s foreign policy has undergone major changes since President Prabowo Subianto took office in October 2024, but no change is more dramatic than in his Middle East policy, particularly in his approach to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.

Ignoring the massive criticism at home and most probably the advice of some of his top diplomats, he joined the Board of Peace, which is part of the United States President Donald Trump’s Gaza peace initiative. He is about to send 8,000 Indonesian troops to Gaza as part of Trump’s International Stabilization Force (ISF). He had also earlier offered to take as many as 2,000 people in Gaza who need medical treatment.

And now with Israel the latest to join The Board of Peace, the prospect of Prabowo sitting on the same table with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has only further alarmed critics at home. Long a staunch supporter of Palestine, Indonesia does not recognize the state of Israel and has no diplomatic ties. Sharing a table is tantamount to recognizing Israel, so critics say.

These moves completely change Indonesia’s narrative on Palestine. The stated goal of getting the Palestinians their independent homeland remains unchanged, but the approach is different. Joining the Board of Peace allows Indonesia to be more active in the search for a lasting solution to the long-drawn conflict, so the argument goes.

In the past, the dominant narrative has been that Indonesia would not open diplomatic ties with Israel until Palestinians get their independent state, side by side with Israel, under the two-state solution. Indonesia has stuck to this position for decades and has championed the cause primarily through the United Nations.

Prabowo modified the narrative in his speech in the UN General Assembly in September. Maintaining support for the two-solution, he said: “We must have an independent Palestine, but we must also recognize and guarantee the safety and security of Israel.”

No Indonesian leader has gone as far as he in discussing Israel, including guaranteeing the security of the Jewish state.

Communication and Digital Minister Meutya Hafid said joining the Board of Peace has opened a new page in the history of Indonesia’s Palestinian diplomacy. She said: “It’s high time for Indonesia to play a more active role in preserving global peace,” instead of being confined to simply condemning Israel in international forum and supplying humanitarian aid to Palestinians.

Prabowo has not abandoned the Palestinian cause, but he has introduced a more nuanced approach. Whether it is effective or leads to the solution is another question.

The Board of Peace gives Prabowo the opportunity to enter into international efforts to settle the Palestine-Israel conflict.

After the UN General Assembly in New York, Prabowo was invited by Trump to attend a meeting with seven other leaders from Muslim-majority countries. He was later invited to attend the launch of Trump’s Gaza peace plan in Egypt. Last month he was among the first to sign on to the Board of Peace launched in the Swiss city of Davos. Last week he attended the Board’s inaugural meeting in Washington.

His activism, Indonesia was the first country to offer troops for Trump’s Gaza force, did not escape Trump’s attention. Indonesia has been given the job of the deputy commander of the ISF.

Sending soldiers to Gaza is not without risk. It is still a war zone with Israel constantly violating peace agreement. More than 600 Gazans have been killed since the truce was declared in October. Both Hamas, the armed resistance group in Gaza, and Israel also have expressed reservations about the presence of Indonesian soldiers in Gaza.

Critics have also warned that by joining the Board of Peace, Indonesia is playing into the hands of Israel and Trump who have designs for Gaza other than for the Gaza inhabitants.

Prabowo briefed many foreign policy experts, including former foreign ministers, of his decision to join the board, and many came out giving him the benefit of the doubt to his claim that it is the only way to stop the killings in Gaza and the only hope for peace.

His maneuvers in the Middle East may not be popular among the political elite, but they have not dented his public approval rating, which according to Indikator Politik hovered just under 80 percent in February, attesting more to his popular social programs.

Prabowo’s diplomacy in the Middle East has the full support of Nahdlatul Ulama, Indonesia’s largest Muslim mass organization. They too can help change the narrative.

Indonesia is not anywhere near opening diplomatic ties with Israel but with Prabowo in charge, it is less confrontational than in the past to open the way for more activism. And he has pulled it off in the worst possible moment amidst the ongoing genocide in Gaza.