Prabowo Reveals the Origins of Indonesia's Invitation to Join Trump's Board of Peace
Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia - President Prabowo Subianto has revealed the origins of Indonesia’s invitation to join the Board of Peace (BoP), an international initiative to promote peace in Palestine. He emphasised that the decision to join was based on genuine opportunities to assist the Palestinian people, rather than mere political positioning.
Prabowo explained that Indonesia’s involvement is inseparable from the dynamics of the conflict that escalated following the Hamas attack on 7 October 2023 and Israel’s large-scale military response.
“What can we do to stop it? We are trying every possible way,” said Prabowo in a recent interview with a senior journalist and analyst, quoted on Friday (20/3/2026).
According to him, Indonesia has actively sent humanitarian aid, including Hercules aircraft and hospital ships, and has been involved in various diplomatic efforts alongside other countries, particularly Muslim nations.
A key moment occurred during the UN General Assembly in September 2025, where Prabowo conveyed Indonesia’s firm stance on the conflict. He reiterated that the two-state solution is the only way out.
Shortly after that forum, several Muslim countries were invited by US President Donald Trump to discuss a peace plan. In that meeting, the US proposal known as the “21 point plan” was the main topic of discussion.
Prabowo revealed that there were crucial points in the plan that paved the way for the establishment of a Palestinian state. “We see that paragraphs 19 and 20 provide an opportunity,” he said.
In that meeting, the Emir of Qatar expressed support for the plan but highlighted that the key to implementation lies with Israel. In response, Trump is said to have given assurances that he would convince the Israeli Prime Minister.
“He said to us, ‘Let me take care of Prime Minister Netanyahu. I will convince him,’” Prabowo quoted Trump’s words.
As the diplomatic process progressed, a ceasefire began to be achieved, and humanitarian aid increased significantly. Prabowo mentioned that thousands of aid trucks enter Gaza every week, helping to alleviate the suffering of civilians.
From this series of processes, the concept of the Board of Peace emerged, which later received legitimacy through a UN Security Council resolution. Prabowo emphasised that Indonesia set a primary condition from the outset for joining.
“My condition from the start is that Indonesia is ready to contribute peacekeeping forces as long as it is approved by the UN,” he stated firmly.
He acknowledged that Indonesia is one of the countries quite distant geographically from the conflict, but it was still invited because it is considered one of the largest Muslim nations with a strong commitment to Palestinian independence.
“If we are inside, perhaps we can help. If we are outside, we cannot,” he said.
Nevertheless, Prabowo stressed that Indonesia’s involvement has strict limitations. Indonesia will not engage in military operations against Hamas or disarmament.
“We do not want to be involved in military actions against Hamas. What we want is to protect civilians from any attacks,” he said.
Currently, Indonesia is adopting a cautious approach by suspending active involvement in the Board of Peace as the situation on the ground remains unstable.
“If there is no peaceful atmosphere, how can we get involved? Now we are suspending everything until there is clarity,” said Prabowo.
Nevertheless, he reaffirmed Indonesia’s commitment to continue supporting the Palestinian people, both through humanitarian aid and international diplomatic efforts.