Indonesia Threatens Board of Peace Withdrawal if Palestinians See No Benefit
President Prabowo Subianto assured Islamic leaders he will withdraw from the board if it fails to serve Palestinian and Indonesian interests. Critics at home question the move, while Nahdlatul Ulama suggests Indonesia could leverage its role to push for de-escalation in the Middle East
Indonesia's President Prabowo Subianto has reassured local Islamic groups that he will withdraw from U.S. President Donald Trump's 'Board of Peace' if the platform does not benefit Palestinians, according to a government statement released on Friday.
The participation of Indonesia, the world's largest Muslim-majority nation, on the board – and its reported plan to contribute troops to a Gaza stabilization force – has drawn criticism from experts and Muslim groups at home. Critics warn it could compromise Indonesia's long-standing support for the Palestinian cause.
Indonesia has indicated it is preparing to deploy up to 8,000 troops, primarily for engineering and medical support. Training has already begun, though the final number of troops, timing, and mission details are still under negotiation.
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If confirmed, Indonesia would be the first country to publicly commit forces to the proposed multinational stabilization mission. The deployment would align with Trump's 20-point peace plan for Gaza, which calls for border security, Hamas disarmament, and protection of humanitarian operations.
Prabowo met with leaders of Islamic groups on Thursday evening to explain his reasoning for joining the board. He stressed that Indonesia's involvement is conditional on tangible benefits for both Palestinian and national interests.
"The president said that if he sees that there is no longer any benefit for Palestine ... and that it is not in line with Indonesia's national interests, he will withdraw," said Hanif Alatas of the Islamic Brotherhood Front, quoting the statement.
The Indonesian Ulema Council had previously called for Indonesia to exit the board because of the U.S.'s role in the ongoing Iran war. Meanwhile, Nahdlatul Ulama, the country's largest Muslim organization, suggested that Indonesia could leverage its position on the board to promote de-escalation in the Middle East.
"Indonesia could declare that the [board's] agenda is on hold until there are talks on de-escalation and peace from the American-Israeli war against Iran," said its chief, Yahya Cholil Staquf, in a statement issued by Prabowo's office.
All Board of Peace discussions have been halted due to the ongoing war, Indonesia's Foreign Minister Sugiono previously noted.