Washington D.C. – Indonesia’s participation in the inaugural meeting of the Board of Peace (BoP), a new initiative led by U.S. President Donald Trump, is sparking debate both domestically and internationally, as President Prabowo Subianto reaffirms Indonesia’s longstanding commitment to Palestinian independence. While lauded by some as an opportunity to amplify the voice of developing nations on the global stage, the move has drawn criticism from civil society groups concerned about potentially shifting away from Indonesia’s historic solidarity with Palestine.
The Board of Peace, intended to foster dialogue and collaboration on global security issues, convened its first meeting this week, with Prabowo representing developing nations. This participation comes amidst a subtle but noticeable shift in Indonesia’s diplomatic tone regarding Israel, as evidenced by Prabowo’s pledge at the United Nations General Assembly in September 2025 to recognize Israel contingent upon Palestinian statehood. This stance, unprecedented in Indonesia’s history, marks a departure from the country’s traditional non-recognition policy dating back to the Soekarno era, rooted in solidarity with Palestine.
Indonesia’s Position on Palestine Remains Firm
Despite the evolving rhetoric, Indonesian officials are keen to emphasize that the nation’s core principles remain unchanged. Lawmaker Sukamta, Deputy Chairman of Commission I of the Indonesian House of Representatives, urged President Prabowo to utilize the BoP meeting to advocate for an immediate end to violence and ensure the protection of Palestinian civilians. “The government can use this momentum to affirm Indonesia’s position as a nation that consistently fights for peace, justice, and humanity,” Sukamta stated on February 16, 2026, according to ANTARA News. He further called for a reaffirmation of Indonesia’s support for a two-state solution, aligned with international law, and emphasized the importance of ensuring Palestinian rights in any post-conflict reconstruction efforts.
This commitment to Palestinian independence was also underscored by Prabowo’s address to the High-level International Conference for the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and the Implementation of the Two-State Solution at the United Nations General Assembly on September 22, 2025. During the conference, co-led by France and Saudi Arabia, Prabowo condemned the “Humanitarian Catastrophe” in Gaza and declared Indonesia’s readiness to send peacekeeping forces to the Gaza-Israel border, as reported by Tempo.co.
Domestic Concerns and Civil Society Pushback
Though, Indonesia’s involvement with the Board of Peace isn’t without its detractors. Civil society groups are voicing concerns that participation in the forum could signal a weakening of Indonesia’s commitment to Palestine. Tempo.co English reports that these groups are actively pushing for Indonesia to withdraw from the Board of Peace, fearing it could legitimize policies detrimental to Palestinian interests.
These concerns stem from Prabowo’s more conciliatory tone towards Israel, including his offer of recognition under specific conditions. As Channel NewsAsia noted in a November 4, 2025 analysis, this pledge represents a significant shift from Indonesia’s long-held policy of non-recognition. The analysis highlights the delicate balancing act Prabowo faces: navigating domestic sentiments while pursuing potential geopolitical gains.
Balancing Diplomacy and National Interests
Despite the internal debate, the Indonesian government maintains that its participation in the Board of Peace is consistent with its national interests and historical commitment to the Palestinian cause. Officials emphasize that Indonesia’s role is to advocate for a just and dignified resolution to the conflict, based on a two-state solution. RRI.co.id reports that Indonesia views the forum as a platform to amplify the voices of developing nations and promote a more stable and just world order.
Sukamta emphasized that Prabowo’s presence at the Board of Peace should be seen as an opportunity to strengthen Indonesia’s active role in promoting world peace, as mandated by the constitution. “Every step of our diplomacy must be based on Indonesia’s national interests and consistent with our historical commitment to the Palestinian struggle for independence,” he stated.
As President Prabowo continues to engage with international forums like the Board of Peace, the world will be watching to witness how Indonesia navigates this complex diplomatic landscape and whether it can successfully balance its evolving relationship with Israel with its unwavering support for Palestinian statehood. The next key event will be observing how Indonesia acts on its stated readiness to contribute peacekeeping forces to the region, as announced at the UN in September 2025.
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