Indonesia signals it will exit Board of Peace if 'there is no longer any benefit for Palestine'

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto told local Islamic leaders on Thursday that the country will exit the U.S.-backed Board of Peace for Gaza if it does not benefit "Palestine."

"The president said that if he sees that there is no longer any benefit for Palestine...and that it is not in line with Indonesia's national interests, he will withdraw," Subianto said, according to Hanif Alatas from the Islamic Brotherhood Front. The Indonesian leader’s comment was reportedly a response to growing domestic opposition to joining the Washington-backed peace efforts in the Middle East.

Indonesia, the world’s most populous Muslim country, has signaled that it wants to contribute to the American-led efforts to stabilize the situation in post-war Gaza.

Indonesia's Ulema Council, one of the country’s leading clerical bodies, previously called on the Indonesian government to withdraw from the Board of Peace due to the dominating role of the U.S. and the ongoing war against the ayatollah regime in Tehran, which it opposes.

"Indonesia could declare that the (board's) agenda is on hold until there are talks on de-escalation and peace from the American-Israeli war against Iran," Council Chief Yahya Cholil Staquf stated.

All Board of Peace discussions have been halted due to the war, Indonesian Foreign Minister Sugiono has previously said.

Addressing the United Nations in September 2025, President Subianto signaled a willingness to deploy some 20,000 Indonesian troops to the Gaza Strip.

"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 at the time.

Indonesia does not currently maintain official diplomatic relations with Israel. However, the Indonesian leader signaled last year that Jakarta could be prepared to establish ties with Israel if a two-state solution were implemented 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, adding that his country would back "all guarantees for the security of Israel."

The Indonesian leader even said he would make history by becoming the first Indonesian president to visit Israel. However, the scheduled visit was later canceled.

The Trump administration has indicated it prefers Muslim-majority countries to contribute troops to the International Stabilization Force (ISF) in Gaza. In addition to Indonesia, Azerbaijan, Pakistan and Turkey, at various stages, offered to contribute forces.

While Turkey maintains diplomatic relations with Israel, Jerusalem strongly opposes the deployment of Turkish troops in Gaza, citing Ankara’s ties to the terrorist organization Hamas.