Prabowo Again Pledges to Withdraw from BoP if It Fails to Help Palestine Achieve Independence

Jakarta (ANTARA) - President Prabowo Subianto again pledged that Indonesia will withdraw from the Board of Peace (BoP) for Gaza membership if the body, created by United States President Donald J. Trump, does not assist the Palestinian people’s pursuit of independence from Zionist Israel.

The BoP withdrawal pledge was delivered by President Prabowo to more than 160 kiai and ulama at a silaturahmi and dialogue event in the central courtyard of the Presidential Palace, Jakarta, Thursday night (5 March 2026).

Deputy Chairman of the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) KH Cholil Nafis, who attended the meeting, conveyed that President Prabowo explained that Indonesia’s intention and main purpose in joining BoP is for Palestinian independence.

In other words, if that intention and purpose is not realised, Indonesia will not hesitate to leave BoP.

“Regarding BoP, he is determined (the aim) for Palestinian independence. If not for Palestinian independence, he is ready to resign. That’s the latest from him. He is committed that everything done in BoP is for Palestine, for Palestinian independence,” said Cholil Nafis in response to reporters after the event.

“His promise, if I am not useful in BoP, I will resign. He promised that what he does in BoP is for the independence of Palestine, for the interests of Palestine. If not for the interests of Palestine, he will resign,” added KH Cholil.

KH Cholil went on to say that at the meeting there was no discussion linking BoP’s future to unilateral attacks on Iran carried out by the United States as the initiator of BoP and Zionist Israel, a BoP member.

“BoP is specific to Palestine,” said KH Cholil.

In the same location, in a separate occasion, Cholil Nafis said he is convinced BoP is no longer effective as a tool to advance Palestinian independence.

He assessed Indonesia would be better off focusing its efforts on organisations such as the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the United Nations (UN).

“We see BoP as not effective because apparently its initiator does not provide a kind of clear picture, track record, or current stance that is in favour of peace,” KH Cholil told reporters before the event.

The option to withdraw from BoP was previously raised by President Prabowo in front of the kiai and ulama at a meeting at the Istana on 3 February 2026.