JAKARTA — Support from various circles has continued to grow after President of the Republic of Indonesia, Prabowo Subianto, held a meeting with leaders of Islamic mass organizations and senior diplomats to discuss Indonesia’s participation in the Board of Peace (BoP).
The dialogue, which took place at the Presidential Palace, reaffirmed the government’s position in advocating for peace in Gaza while ensuring that every diplomatic step remains aligned with the Constitution and Indonesia’s national interests.
Several leaders of Islamic organizations stated that they gained a more comprehensive understanding after directly hearing the President’s explanation regarding Indonesia’s decision to join the peace council initiated by the United States. The government emphasized that Indonesia’s participation is intended to advocate for Palestinian independence from within the international forum, not to follow any particular external agenda.
The meeting also underscored Indonesia’s longstanding consistency in rejecting colonialism, as mandated in the Preamble of the 1945 Constitution.
Chairman of the Executive Board of Nahdlatul Ulama (PBNU), Yahya Cholil Staquf, stated that all figures and Islamic organizations present were able to understand, accept, and even entrust the strategic efforts to support Palestine to the President.
“And I believe everyone present understood, accepted, and even entrusted the struggle to help Palestine through these strategic efforts to the President,” Yahya said after the meeting on Tuesday (February 3, 2026).
He added that the President is committed to sending peacekeeping forces through the BoP framework to help protect civilians in Gaza.
“The measures to be undertaken within the council will become consolidated steps among member states to assist Palestine,” Yahya concluded.
Support was also expressed by the Chairman of the Majelis Ulama Indonesia (MUI), Anwar Iskandar. He affirmed that MUI agrees with Indonesia’s membership in the BoP as long as it brings benefit (maslahah) to the Muslim community and to Palestine.
“From what we have heard, it is intended for the public good, and as long as there is a commitment to that, why not?” Anwar stated.
According to him, the President also opened the possibility for Indonesia to withdraw should the forum no longer provide tangible benefits.
“The President has promised that if it does not bring benefit, Indonesia will withdraw,” he said.
From the diplomatic community, former Minister of Foreign Affairs Alwi Shihab viewed the President’s step in involving his predecessors as an open and wise approach. He expressed support for Indonesia’s participation in the BoP, considering it a strategic move.
“Of course we support it—how could we not?” Alwi remarked.
He emphasized that being inside the forum provides Indonesia with a platform to actively advocate for Palestine’s interests.
“If we are not part of it, we cannot speak. But if we are inside, we can speak up and say, ‘Please don’t do that,’” he concluded. (*)