Jakarta, ThedailyID — Indonesia has defended its decision to join the Board of Peace (BoP), a body established by US President Donald Trump for Gaza. The government says its participation aims to strengthen Indonesia’s role in advancing Palestinian interests and aspirations.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Yvonne Mewengkang said Indonesia wants to ensure that Palestinian interests remain a priority in Gaza’s reconstruction plans.
“Indonesia’s involvement in the BoP essentially aims to strengthen our role and contribution in ensuring that the interests and aspirations of the Palestinian people remain a priority,” Yvonne told CNNIndonesia.com on Thursday, October 29.
She added that Indonesia maintains the same approach in other international forums and organizations.
However, Indonesia has temporarily suspended discussions about the BoP, including plans to deploy Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) personnel to Gaza. The proposed deployment would form part of the International Stabilization Force (ISF) under the BoP.
Yvonne said the government continues to assess developments and political dynamics across the Middle East before deciding on the next steps.
President Prabowo Subianto previously announced plans to send 8,000 Indonesian personnel to join the ISF when he confirmed Indonesia’s participation in the BoP.
Yvonne stressed that Indonesia’s foreign policy remains unchanged. She said the government continues to support the Palestinian people’s struggle for independence and sovereignty.
Indonesia also continues to promote a two-state solution as a path toward a just and lasting peace, she added.
Prabowo has previously said Indonesia would withdraw from the BoP if the body failed to benefit the Palestinian people.
The government’s statement followed calls from Francesca Albanese, the UN special rapporteur on the occupied Palestinian territories, for Indonesia to reconsider its participation. In an interview with Reuters on Thursday, October 22, Albanese argued that the BoP did not represent the Palestinian people’s voices.
“I understand the good intentions (of Indonesia). But I feel this is very dangerous because it could normalize a very abnormal mechanism,” Albanese told Reuters.
She argued that Israel should not determine Palestine’s future under international law. Human rights experts have also raised concerns about the BoP’s lack of Palestinian representation, despite its role in overseeing stabilization efforts in Gaza.
Instead of joining the BoP, Albanese urged Indonesia to work with South Africa, Malaysia, and other countries in The Hague to pursue legal accountability for Israel, including through proceedings at the International Criminal Court.
Indonesia had initially planned to deploy its personnel within one to two months after the BoP’s first meeting in February. However, the government postponed the plan following the outbreak of the US-Israel war against Iran.
