Prabowo Explains Reasons for Indonesia's Joining BoP: If Counterproductive, We Will Exit
President Prabowo Subianto has explained that Indonesia joined the Board of Peace (BoP) after careful consideration, with the aim of supporting full Palestinian independence. According to him, being inside BoP allows Indonesia to voice support for the Palestinian people.
Prabowo made these remarks during a discussion with journalists and observers held in Hambalang, Bogor, West Java, which aired on Thursday (19/3/2026). He explained that Indonesia’s involvement in the formation of BoP began on 23 September, when he delivered a speech at the UN General Assembly. At that time, he affirmed support for Palestinian independence while promoting a two-state solution.
After the UN session, he, along with seven leaders from majority-Muslim countries in the Group of Eight—such as Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Turkey, Pakistan, Qatar, and Egypt—were invited by US President Donald Trump to a meeting.
In that meeting, Trump reportedly asked those countries to support the 21-point plan, a proposal for sustainable peace in Gaza. According to Prabowo, the details of those points were read out one by one by the US special envoy Steve Witkoff.
Prabowo then listened carefully to the proposal and was interested in points 19 and 20, which stated that Palestine would be given a path to become an independent nation capable of determining its own future. Additionally, there was a point that the US would facilitate dialogue between Israel and Palestine so they could live side by side in peace.
Prabowo assessed that the content of the proposal aligned with Indonesia’s view on the Palestinian issue, that long-term peace could be achieved through a two-state solution.
“So, we saw that these (points) 19 and 20 offer an opportunity (for Palestinian independence) even though we know it’s limited. Finally, we eight (majority-Muslim country leaders) discussed, do we support this or not? In the end, through lobbying, we said we support it,” said Prabowo.
Subsequently, the leaders appointed Qatari Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani as their spokesperson to convey to Trump that those countries supported the points of the plan.
“We like your plan. But the problem is not us. The problem is Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu,” said Prabowo, recalling the moment.
Shortly after that meeting, he continued, the idea emerged to form the BoP, which was simultaneously adopted in UN Security Council Resolution 2803. In response to this development, the eight majority-Muslim countries, later known as the Group of Eight, held further consultations on whether to join or not.
Based on the consultation results, they assessed that joining BoP would provide greater space to influence policy directions in favour of Palestinian interests. This, according to Prabowo, is far more realistic and concrete in fighting for Palestinian independence than choosing not to join BoP.
“If we are inside, we might be able to influence and help the Palestinian people,” he said.
“If we are outside (BoP), we cannot (advocate for Palestine). So, in the end, we decided to join,” Prabowo continued.
Nevertheless, Prabowo stated that Indonesia would not hesitate to leave BoP if its decisions do not align with Indonesia’s or Palestine’s interests. He even said Indonesia could exit the council without prior consultation with other Group of Eight members.
“As long as we are in BoP and can help the Palestinian struggle, we will try. Once we conclude there is no hope and it’s counterproductive, we assess it’s a waste of time, energy, and not beneficial to Indonesia’s national interests, we will exit,” he added.
Prabowo hopes that Indonesia and the other Group of Eight members can contribute positively to long-term peace in Palestine.
“So, I am carrying out Indonesia’s longstanding struggle. We have always defended Palestinian independence,” he said.