Indonesia’s Threatens to Quit Trump’s “Board of Peace”
Prabowo Subianto said he is prepared to withdraw from the «Board of Peace» proposed by Donald Trump if the initiative fails to deliver benefits for Palestinians, according to a government statement released on Friday.
Prabowo, who leads the world’s largest Muslim-majority nation, has faced criticism from domestic Islamic organisations after agreeing to participate in the board and contribute troops to a Gaza stabilisation force. The force is part of a ceasefire arrangement brokered by Trump that ended the two-year war between Israel and Hamas.
Iran war raises new doubts
The conflict involving Iran has further complicated the situation and raised questions about Indonesia’s potential involvement. A U.S. official said the deteriorating security environment in the Middle East could affect the timeline for deploying an international stabilisation force authorised by the United Nations Security Council. Indonesia is expected to be one of the main contributors.
«While some ISF deployment timelines may shift due to the situation on the ground, discussions with our Indonesian partners continue,» a Trump administration official said.
Indonesia’s foreign minister Sugiono confirmed earlier this week that talks on the Board of Peace, which would oversee the stabilisation mission, have been paused because of the Iran conflict.
Domestic pressure grows
Prabowo met leaders of several Indonesian Islamic organisations on Thursday evening to explain his decision to join the initiative. During the meeting, he indicated that Indonesia would reconsider its role if it no longer served Palestinian or national interests.
Hanif Alatas of the Islamic Brotherhood Front said the president had made clear he would step away if the initiative failed to support Palestine or align with Indonesia’s priorities.
The stabilisation force, intended to help rebuild Gaza, would include an Indonesian deputy commander, according to previous statements by U.S. officials.
However, the Indonesian Ulema Council has urged Jakarta to leave the initiative, citing Washington’s role in the Iran conflict. Critics argue that participation risks undermining Indonesia’s long-standing support for the Palestinian cause.
At the same time, Nahdlatul Ulama, the country’s largest Muslim group, suggested Jakarta could instead use its position on the board to push for de-escalation in the Middle East. Its chairman Yahya Cholil Staquf said Indonesia could call for the board’s agenda to be paused until broader peace talks take place.
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