Emotions Run High as Prabowo Embraces Palestinian Ambassador

The atmosphere during the 100th-anniversary celebration of Pondok Modern Darussalam Gontor in Ponorogo, East Java, on Saturday (19/9), turned emotional when Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto greeted the Palestinian Ambassador to Indonesia, Abdulfattah A.K. Al-Sattari.

In front of thousands of students, President Prabowo was unable to hold back his tears after embracing the Palestinian Ambassador. According to an official release from the Presidential Communication Office, the President was even seen wiping his tears with the white towel he typically carries during speeches.

The moment occurred as Prabowo greeted the ambassadors present at the Gontor centenary event one by one. When it was his turn to address the Palestinian Ambassador, Prabowo immediately shouted his support for Palestinian independence.

“Free Palestine, Free An Palestine, Free Palestine,” cried Prabowo, a sentiment echoed by alumni, students, and invited guests.

Ambassador Abdulfattah then raised a keffiyeh to present to the President. Prabowo signalled for the Ambassador to ascend the stage.

After receiving the keffiyeh, Prabowo draped it over his shoulders. The two then embraced before the assembled crowd.

Following the encounter, Prabowo returned to the podium to continue his speech, though his voice wavered as he struggled to suppress his grief. He stated that he was reminded of the suffering of the Palestinian people, who continue to face ongoing attacks.

“I apologise. I was just reminded of our brothers and sisters in Palestine. They are being massacred, they are being bombed, they are being continuously attacked. And we seem powerless to help them,” said Prabowo.

Prabowo then linked the suffering of the Palestinian people to the importance of building national strength. He noted that such conditions should serve as a motivation for the Indonesian people, particularly religious scholars, educators, and the younger generation, to study and work diligently to build the nation.

“I believe this is precisely what should drive us all, especially our brothers, our scholars, our educators in institutions like Gontor. This must encourage and trigger a will—a will to study earnestly and a will to build a strong Indonesian nation,” he said.

Prabowo emphasised that a nation’s strength is vital so that it can stand tall and not easily succumb to pressure from other nations.

“Because a nation that is not strong will be trampled upon by other nations,” he concluded.