Indonesia could withdraw from BoP if it fails to benefit Palestinians

Indonesia’s President Prabowo Subianto said he could withdraw from the so-called Gaza “stabilization force” and US President Donald Trump’s “Board of Peace” if they do not benefit Palestinians, according to a government statement issued Friday, against the backdrop of the US-Israeli aggression on Iran.

Prabowo, who leads the world’s largest Muslim-majority nation, has been scrutinized by local groups for agreeing to join the board and deploy troops in Gaza as part of the “International Stabilization Force,” which critics have warned would formalize international oversight while limiting local agency.

Attack on Iran casts doubt on deployment timeline
This follows US confirmation on Friday that the security situation in West Asia could affect the timing of deployments to the ISF, in which Indonesia is expected to play a leading role.

“While some ISF deployment timelines may shift due to the situation on the ground, discussions with our Indonesian partners continue,” a Trump administration official told Reuters when asked about doubts surrounding Indonesia’s role.

Indonesian Foreign Minister Sugiono said Tuesday that discussions related to the so-called “Board of Peace,” which would oversee the creation of the foreign military force in Gaza, had been halted due to the aggression on Iran.

Domestic criticism over Indonesia’s role
Prabowo convened leaders of local Islamic groups on Thursday evening, where he reiterated his reasons for joining the board, according to a statement released by the government’s communications office.

According to Hanif Alatas of the Islamic Brotherhood Front, Prabowo would withdraw from the board if it failed to benefit Palestinian and Indonesian 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,” Hanif said in the statement.

The US commander of the ISF said last month that his deputy would be Indonesian.

Indonesia leverages role for talks on Iran
Meanwhile, the Indonesian Ulema Council, a leading clerical body, had previously called on the government to exit the board due to Washington’s aggression against Iran, as critics argue that Indonesia’s participation could undermine its long-standing support for the Palestinian cause.

Nahdlatul Ulama, the country’s largest Muslim organization, however, has insisted that Jakarta could use its role to encourage de-escalation in the region.

“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,” the group’s chief, Yahya Cholil Staquf, said in a statement issued by Prabowo’s office late Thursday.