Jusuf Kalla on BoP Amid US-Israel–Iran Conflict

Jusuf Kalla, the 10th and 12th Vice President of the Republic of Indonesia, spoke about the international Board of Peace (BoP) forum in the wake of Israeli and United States strikes on Iran. Kalla highlighted how BoP is being implemented. ‘In principle, the idea of BoP is good. Any effort towards peace is welcome. But we must look at how it is practised. We should not just establish BoP and within a week be at war with another country,’ Kalla told reporters at his residence in Kebayoran Baru, South Jakarta, on Saturday, 7 March 2026. Kalla argued that BoP’s peace effort is a good idea if its implementation aligns with its mission. He said a revision of BoP is needed. ‘So the meaning of BoP risks being at odds with its intention. It is important that its mission is carried out according to its original purpose. But in reality, is that the case? So indeed a revision to BoP is needed,’ he added. When asked whether Indonesia should withdraw from BoP, Kalla said the issue should be assessed with the coming months. He supported BoP if it can bring peace to Palestine. ‘We should watch what happens in the coming months. If BoP can bring peace to Palestine, for example, okay, we will support it. Because there is a likelihood there are seven Muslim countries that would certainly want that,’ Kalla said. Kalla criticised the handling of the attack on Iran. He described the ultimate test as how efforts to recognise Palestine are carried out. ‘But there is a veto from Trump. So BoP should not merely be a symbol or a follower of Trump. So we must see the evidence. It seems that talking about peace has coincided with war,’ Kalla added. ‘The ultimate test is thus the way to reconcile Palestine by recognising Palestine. If not, what is the point of merely supporting Israel?’ he concluded.