Jakarta – Indonesia’s involvement in the Board of Peace (BoP) is considered a strategic factor in maintaining international political balance, particularly regarding the conflict in Gaza. Indonesia’s presence is seen as crucial to preventing the dominance of narratives and unilateral decisions that could potentially benefit Israel’s political interests in various global forums.
Khairul Fahmi, a military observer and co-founder of the Institute for Security and Strategic Studies (ISESS), believes that Indonesia’s absence from the BoP will actually create political leverage for Israel’s right-wing faction. He believes Indonesia’s role is not merely symbolic, but also determines the direction of the stabilization mission and the balance of power on the ground.
“If Indonesia’s seat on the BoP is vacant, it will lose its countervailing power, allowing Israel and its close allies to dominate every decision on the ground. The logic is brutal, but it’s real,” Khairul said.
He added that the planned deployment of approximately 8,000 Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) personnel to Gaza has raised serious concerns among Israeli hardliners. The presence of Indonesian troops is seen as potentially hampering the control of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and preventing the forced displacement of Palestinians.
“The physical presence of thousands of TNI personnel in this corridor will break Israel’s chain of control and prevent any maneuvers to evict residents,” he explained.
According to Khairul, the TNI’s presence is not merely a peacekeeping function, but also a geopolitical marker that emphasizes that Gaza is not a sovereign territory or terra nullius. Therefore, Indonesia’s involvement in the BoP actually broadens the meaning of peace, preventing it from being reduced to mere pseudo-stability without substantive justice.
Indonesia’s two-pronged political stance, active in international forums while consistently supporting Palestine, is seen as enabling Indonesia to maintain its political sovereignty while garnering global support on decolonization and economic development. From an international communications perspective, President Prabowo Subianto’s move is understood as an effort to maintain a balanced message. Indonesia has not changed its normative position but has chosen communication channels that ensure the voice of Palestinian justice and humanity remains heard globally. (*)