Indonesia Says It Will Withdraw From Board of Peace if It Does Not Benefit Palestinians

Indonesia has escalated its diplomatic stance regarding its participation in the U.S.‑led Board of Peace, warning that it will withdraw from the international initiative if it fails to benefit the Palestinian people or serve Indonesian national interests. The announcement, made on March 6, 2026, reflects growing domestic unease in the world’s largest Muslim‑majority nation over its role in the platform and its implications for longstanding support for Palestinian rights.
The Board of Peace is a multilateral initiative championed by Donald Trump and backed by several countries, including Indonesia. It was conceived as a mechanism to help stabilize Gaza, support reconstruction efforts, and promote broader peace in the Middle East — particularly after long years of conflict. However, recent criticism from religious groups and civil society in Indonesia has placed increasing pressure on the government to reassess its involvement.
Domestic Criticism Fuels Pushback
The Indonesian government’s commitment to the Board of Peace has drawn criticism from several influential groups at home, including the Indonesian Ulema Council and Nahdlatul Ulama, the country’s largest Muslim organization. Critics argue that joining the peace board, particularly with the backdrop of U.S. military involvement in the Middle East and the ongoing Iran conflict, risks diluting Jakarta’s historic support for the Palestinian cause.
In a meeting with more than 160 Islamic scholars held at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta, President Prabowo Subianto reassured group leaders that Indonesia’s participation is conditional upon tangible benefits for the Palestinians. Deputy Chair of the Indonesian Ulema Council, Cholil Nafis, said that Prabowo was “determined to direct the board toward Palestinian independence” and reiterated that Indonesia stood ready to withdraw if the platform fails to advocate effectively for that goal.
“This commitment is not symbolic,” Nafis told reporters after the gathering. “If the Board of Peace does not advance Palestinian independence or align with national interests, Indonesia will reconsider its involvement.”
Balancing Diplomacy and Domestic Expectations
Indonesia’s position highlights the delicate balancing act its leaders face between international diplomacy and domestic public opinion. While the government sees engagement in the Board of Peace as a way to influence international discussions on Gaza reconstruction and peacebuilding, critics argue that the initiative’s connection with U.S. policy — particularly amid ongoing hostilities involving the United States, Iran, and Israel — undermines the neutrality and moral weight of the effort.
Following the board’s initial meeting in Washington earlier this year, Indonesia agreed to contribute troops to a proposed Gaza stabilization force — a move that alarmed many supporters of Palestinian independence, who feared that military involvement could compromise Jakarta’s long‑standing solidarity with Palestinian rights.
Moreover, some opposition voices in Indonesia say that Jakarta should instead amplify Palestinian interests through other international institutions such as the United Nations and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), rather than a U.S.‑led body perceived as too closely aligned with Western political objectives.
Regional Conflict Casts Shadow Over Peace Efforts
The broader geopolitical context has further complicated Indonesia’s position. Regional tensions, including the ongoing military campaign involving the United States and Israel against Iran, have heightened skepticism among Indonesian religious and civil groups about the Board of Peace’s effectiveness and credibility. Many argue that true peace and rights for Palestinians cannot be addressed independently of wider regional hostilities.
Indonesian Foreign Minister Sugiono has acknowledged that all discussions within the Board of Peace are currently on hold due to the Iran war, underscoring how wider Middle East instability has impacted diplomatic initiatives aimed at resolving the Gaza conflict.
A Broader Message on Sovereignty and Solidarity
Indonesia’s conditional stance underscores its leaders’ emphasis on respecting national sovereignty and aligning foreign policy with public sentiment. For many Indonesians, support for Palestinian statehood and rights is not merely diplomatic rhetoric but a deeply held national principle rooted in decades of moral and religious solidarity.
Religious organizations such as the Indonesian Ulema Council and Nahdlatul Ulama have played key roles in shaping public discourse, stressing that any international engagement must prioritize Palestinian aspirations above geopolitical alliances. At the same time, some government officials believe Indonesia’s role on the board could be strategically utilized to push for de‑escalation in the Middle East and bring voices from the Global South into peace discussions.
What Comes Next
As Indonesia signals its willingness to withdraw from the Board of Peace unless meaningful outcomes for Palestinians are shown, diplomatic observers are watching closely. Jakarta’s stance may prompt other countries to reevaluate their involvement or push for reforms within the peace initiative. It also reflects a broader trend among Global South nations seeking to assert greater autonomy in international forums and insist that peace efforts address the core concerns of affected populations.
For now, Indonesia’s conditional participation sends a clear message: global peace initiatives must demonstrably benefit those they aim to serve — especially in conflicts with profound humanitarian consequences.