Indonesia offers to send 20,000 peacekeeping soldiers to Gaza, vows to recognize Israel alongside Palestine

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto told the UN General Assembly on Tuesday that his country is prepared to dispatch some 20,000 peacekeeping troops to Gaza as a stabilizing factor in a post-war settlement.

"If and when the UN, the Security Council, and this General Assembly decide, Indonesia is ready to deploy 20,000 or even more of our sons and daughters to establish peace in Gaza or elsewhere. In Ukraine, Sudan, Libya –wherever peace needs to be established, wherever peace needs to be defended," Subianto stated.

With more than 280 million people, Indonesia is the world’s most populous Muslim nation. Its leader urged implementation of a two-state solution in the Middle East.

"Indonesia once again reiterates its commitment to the two-state solution of the Palestine problem. Only this will lead to peace. We must guarantee statehood for Palestine," Subianto argued, saying that the nation would support "all guarantees for the security of Israel."

He praised recent moves by Western nations – including the United Kingdom, France, Canada, and Australia – to recognize a Palestinian state.

"The recognition of the state of Palestine is a step on the right side of history,” Subianto said.

"We must recognize Palestine now. We must stop the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza. Ending the war must be our utmost priority," he added.

Indonesia, along with many other Muslim-majority countries, formally recognized Palestine in 1988.

Subianto further remarked that Indonesia condemns all attacks on civilians but failed to condemn the Hamas terror group for the Oct. 7 massacre of 1,200 Israelis, mostly civilians, and the kidnapping of 251 people into Gaza.

The Indonesian president argued that his country would recognize the State of Israel on the same day that Israel formally recognizes a Palestinian state. He said that Israel's right to live in security must be respected, ending his speech with the conciliatory Hebrew word for peace, “Shalom.”

The United States and Israel blasted the multiple unilateral diplomatic recognitions of a Palestinian state, arguing that the move rewards terrorism.

“The rewards would be too great for Hamas terrorists for their atrocities. This would be a reward for these horrible atrocities, including October 7, even while they refuse to release the hostages or accept a ceasefire,” U.S. President Donald Trump stated during his address to the UN General Assembly on Tuesday.

“Instead of giving in to Hamas’ ransom demands, those who want peace should be united with one message: Release the hostages now,” the U.S. president urged.

Indonesia does not maintain official diplomatic relations with Israel, but informal ties exist through Israeli companies that assist the country in key sectors such as agriculture and food security.

In January 2022, speculation arose that Indonesia might become the next Muslim-majority nation to join the Abraham Accords and normalize relations with Israel.

In April 2022, Indonesia’s top Muslim leaders investigated the benefits of diplomatic relations with Israel.