Presidential Staff Expert: Board of Peace Must Be Separated from US-Iran War
The Principal Expert of the Presidential Staff Office (KSP), Ulta Levenia, has stated that the Board of Peace cannot be linked to the ongoing war between the United States and Iran. Indonesia was previously asked to withdraw from the Board of Peace, which was established by the United States, after the US initiated military action against Iran.
Ulta argued that the Board of Peace and the conflict sparked by its founder are two separate matters. “The Board of Peace should be separated from the current conflict (between the US and Iran),” Ulta said in a video statement on Sunday, 8 March 2026.
According to Ulta, the Board of Peace is a platform that can be utilised to advance the cause of Palestinian independence. Despite its limitations, Ulta argued, Indonesia can still pursue Palestinian sovereignty through this body.
Ulta believes the Board of Peace has a solid foundation for Palestinian independence. He referenced the 20-point Gaza peace plan from US President Donald Trump, which has also been adopted by the Board of Peace.
According to Ulta, these twenty points contain guarantees that the Board of Peace maintains an open stance towards Palestinian independence. Ulta cited point number 16 in the plan, which states that Israel will not occupy or annex Gaza.
Ulta also highlighted that in the same plan, the Palestinian Authority will be given a pathway to self-determination and to achieve the status of a sovereign state. “They will be given a pathway to determine their own future and build their own state,” he said.
Furthermore, Ulta stated that the Board of Peace also commits that the United States will facilitate dialogue between Israel and Palestine, with the aim that both can coexist peacefully. This stance, according to Ulta, aligns with Indonesia’s position in promoting a two-state solution for both parties.
Ulta also discussed provisions of the Board of Peace stating that Hamas fighters held as prisoners by Israel will not face punishment. “When prisoners are released by both sides, Hamas members who wish to live peacefully together will be granted amnesty. So they will not face punishment,” Ulta stated.
Therefore, according to Ulta, criticism arguing that the Board of Peace is not pro-Palestinian independence is an unfounded assessment. “It’s amusing to say there’s nothing mentioning or advocating Palestinian independence in this Board of Peace,” he said.
Currently, the Indonesian government has stated that it has suspended its membership in the Board of Peace. The suspension was implemented following the outbreak of war between the US and Israel against Iran in the Persian Gulf.
Several parties previously called on Indonesia to withdraw from the Board of Peace after the US, together with Israel, attacked Iran. This demand was contained in a statement (Tausiyah) from the Indonesian Islamic Scholars Council (MUI) in letter number Kep-28/DP-MUI/III/2026. The statement was signed by MUI Chairman Anwar Iskandar and MUI Secretary General Amirsyah Tambunan.
The MUI stated that the United States, which is playing a central role in conflict management for Palestine through the Board of Peace, faces serious questions. The MUI questioned whether this strategy is genuinely aimed at achieving just peace or is instead reinforcing an unjust security architecture and burying Palestinian independence.
“Therefore, the MUI urges the Indonesian government to withdraw its membership from the Board of Peace, as it is deemed ineffective in achieving genuine Palestinian independence,” the MUI stated in its position paper issued on Sunday, 1 March 2026, according to the MUI’s official website.
The Middle East situation previously escalated after US and Israeli military forces conducted air strikes against Iran on 28 February 2026. The air strikes on Tehran, the Iranian capital, killed several leaders of the Islamic Republic, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Iran carried out retaliatory strikes against Israeli territories and neighbouring countries that host US military bases. Attacks from the US and Israel against Iran have continued.