Solidarity with Palestinians questioned as Indonesian troops set for Gaza
President Prabowo Subianto is trying to expand Indonesia’s global standing, but questions raised about role of military in Gaza peace plan.
The information you provided states that Indonesia is preparing to send an initial contingent of 1,000 soldiers to Gaza within weeks, as part of a larger commitment to deploy approximately 8,000 personnel. This deployment is intended to be part of an International Stabilization Force (ISF) organized under the Board of Peace led by former U.S. President Donald Trump. According to Indonesian army spokesperson Brigadier General Donny Pramono, the first troops are expected to arrive in Gaza by April, with the bulk of the forces on the ground by June.
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Here is a summary of the concerns raised about Indonesia’s planned deployment to Gaza:
As Indonesia prepares to send troops to Gaza as part of the International Stabilization Force, some Indonesians are expressing apprehension about the mission’s role amid Israel’s ongoing conflict in the Palestinian territory. Although Indonesia has a strong history in UN peacekeeping, critics worry that without UN oversight, Indonesian forces might be used by the US—Israel’s primary ally—as “pawns” to control Palestinians and legitimize Israel’s occupation.
Shofwan Al Banna Choiruzzad, an associate professor at the University of Indonesia, voiced fears that Indonesia could become a “buffer” to suppress Palestinians, damaging the country’s reputation as a trusted partner in Palestine. He warned that Indonesia risks becoming a “shock absorber” or an instrument that lends legitimacy to the occupation, which would be painful for both Palestinians and Indonesians.
Here is a concise summary of the additional complication regarding Indonesia’s deployment:
Indonesia’s lack of diplomatic relations with Israel, due to its longstanding support for the Palestinian cause, adds complexity to the mission. Shofwan Al Banna Choiruzzad emphasized that Indonesia must clearly avoid involvement in sectors that could lead to confrontations with Palestinian factions and must steer clear of Israeli-controlled areas. Operating in such areas would require coordination with the Israeli army, effectively amounting to practical recognition of Israel—something Indonesia aims to avoid.
Indonesia, home to the world’s largest Muslim population, was the
first member of the Board of Peace to pledge a specific number of troops
to the International Stabilization Force (ISF) in Gaza. However,
concerns persist that Palestinians risk being treated as mere objects in
the conflict, raising questions about the true role and impact of such
military deployments.
Following Indonesia’s pledge to send peacekeepers to Gaza, other Board of Peace members—Kosovo, Morocco, Albania, and Kazakhstan—also committed troops, though without specifying numbers. Jakarta emphasizes its intent to play a “balancing” role alongside countries like Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Egypt, Jordan, Qatar, the UAE, and Pakistan.
However, observers worry Indonesia’s longstanding support for a two-state solution and an independent Palestine may be compromised by its participation in the Gaza operation. Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto may face scrutiny over the Board of Peace’s work, including Gaza’s reconstruction and the future of Palestinians.
University of Indonesia’s Shofwan Al Banna Choiruzzad criticized the Board’s approach as fundamentally “colonial,” arguing it seeks “negative peace” without centering Palestinian rights or voices, treating Palestinians as objects to be controlled, while imposing no restraints on Israel.
The board’s executive committee includes prominent figures such as Donald Trump and Jared Kushner, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, World Bank President Ajay Banga, former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair, and US Deputy National Security Adviser Robert Gabriel Jr. Palestinian participation is limited to a “transitional committee” of apolitical technocrats led by former PA deputy minister Ali Shaath.
Earlier this month, soon after President Prabowo Subianto joined the Board of Peace, around 40 civil society and religious groups in Indonesia met with him to discuss the Gaza mission, according to state news agency Antara. Prabowo expressed his readiness to withdraw from the Board if it “fails to advance the goal of an independent Palestine,” citing Muhammad Cholil Nafis, vice chairman of Indonesia’s top Islamic advisory body.
Indonesia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasized that its troops will be deployed “solely to support Palestine’s recovery and its fight for independence and sovereignty.” Besides sending troops, Indonesia plans to provide humanitarian aid, including hospital ships.
Observers told Al Jazeera that Prabowo’s decision reflects his personalized leadership style and ambition to raise Indonesia’s global diplomatic profile rather than a direct focus on Palestine. Yon Machmudi, an expert in Indonesian politics and international relations, noted that while Indonesia has participated in peacekeeping in Lebanon and Congo, Prabowo aims to strengthen Indonesia’s diplomatic influence worldwide and be remembered as a president active in global peace efforts—not only in the Middle East but also in other conflicts like the Russia-Ukraine war.
‘It’s about maintaining optics’
Prabowo, a former military general once banned from entering the US, has found himself in the global spotlight since being elected president in 2024, starting with his decision to visit China on his first international trip.
He has since visited Russia twice, skipping a Group of Seven meeting in June to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Muhammad Zulfikar Rakhmat, director of the Indonesia-MENA desk at the Centre for Economic and Law Studies in Jakarta, told Al Jazeera that he believes Prabowo has been trying to get Trump’s attention.
The US president has a track record of responding to assertive and transactional leadership, and once said he gets along better with world leaders “the tougher and meaner they are”.
Courting China and Russia was one step towards Prabowo getting US attention, while signing on to the Board of Peace and deploying Indonesian troops to Gaza was another, Rakhmat said.
In the mix of motivations for joining the board, Prabowo may also have been hoping for a better trade deal with the US after Trump unleashed trade tariffs last year. The White House initially planned to levy a “reciprocal” tariff of 32 percent on Indonesian exports, which was later cut down to 19 percent.
Last week, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto signed a formal trade deal with former US President Donald Trump during the inaugural Board of Peace meeting in Washington, DC. The agreement maintained tariff rates at 19 percent, while Indonesia agreed to cut tariffs on 99 percent of its US imports. However, the deal’s future impact remains uncertain following a recent US Supreme Court ruling that struck down the legal basis for many of Trump’s tariffs.
Political analyst Rakhmat expressed concern that Prabowo’s ambition to maintain a positive image among major powers may reduce the likelihood of him taking strong action if the Gaza operation negatively affects Palestinians. Rakhmat told Al Jazeera that Prabowo is more likely to issue condemnations of any operational missteps rather than fully withdraw from the Board of Peace, emphasizing that his decisions are often driven by maintaining optics and diplomatic standing rather than pursuing extraordinary measures.
