President of Indonesia Prabowo Subianto has said his country will withdraw from the peace initiative led by Donald Trump if it does not benefit Palestinians, according to a government statement.
The Indonesian leader made the remarks amid scrutiny over Jakarta’s participation in the so-called Board of Peace, formed to support stability efforts following the conflict in the Gaza Strip.
Prabowo told leaders of local Muslim groups this week that Indonesia joined the board to help achieve lasting peace in Gaza. However, he said the country would reconsider its participation if the initiative fails to serve Palestinian interests or align with Indonesia’s national priorities.
According to the statement, Hanif Alatas from the Islamic Brotherhood Front quoted the president as saying Indonesia would withdraw if the board no longer benefits Palestine or Indonesia’s national interest.
The decision by Jakarta to join the board has drawn criticism from several Muslim groups in the country, particularly after Indonesia pledged to contribute peacekeeping forces.
Prabowo attended the inaugural meeting of the initiative in Washington last month and promised to send 8,000 Indonesian troops to Gaza as part of an International Stabilisation Force under a ceasefire arrangement that ended two years of conflict in the territory.
Indonesia’s top clerical body, the Indonesian Ulema Council, has urged the government to withdraw from the initiative, describing it as ineffective in delivering real peace for Palestinians.
The debate comes as regional tensions remain high following the recent war involving Israel, the United States, and Iran, which has intensified scrutiny of diplomatic and peacekeeping efforts related to the Palestinian issue.