Jakarta. President Prabowo Subianto’s first year in office has seen Indonesia walking the talk on its support for Palestinian independence. 

Two years of Israel’s heightened attack in Gaza have killed at least 67,000 Palestinians. The genocide has angered the world, even sending countless Indonesians to rallies in support of Palestine. Under Prabowo's leadership, Indonesia has repeatedly called for a two-state solution. This is the internationally recognized mantra that sees the establishment of an independent Palestinian state living alongside that of Israel.

One of the pivotal moments of Prabowo’s diplomacy was when the retired army general stepped up to the podium of the UN General Assembly last month.

“I would like to reiterate again Indonesia’s complete support for the two-state solution in Palestine. We must have an independent Palestine,” Prabowo told the world leaders in the forum.

The UN debut speech opened up the possibility of Indonesia warming up to Israel, with Prabowo saying that the world “must recognize, respect, and guarantee the safety and security of Israel”. However, Jakarta only intends to consider recognition under the condition that Israel recognizes Palestinian independence. Prabowo, who spoke right after his American counterpart Donald Trump, also talked of Indonesia’s plan to become Palestine's rice supplier as the Southeast Asian country wished to become the world’s granary.

“We are now self-sufficient in rice. We are starting now to export rice to other nations in need, including providing rice for Palestine,” Prabowo said.

To make sure Gazans do not go hungry, Indonesia has provided $12 million worth of food aid via the UN World Food Program.

Rice support is not the only thing that Indonesia is willing to give.

Prabowo repeatedly offered to send peacekeepers to the war-struck Gaza. Indonesia is the world’s fifth-largest contributor to the UN peacekeeping missions, deploying around 2,762 uniformed personnel as of late August.

The president had also floated a plan for Indonesia to temporarily host thousands of wounded Gazans, while picking Galang Island as a possible shelter. However, the Indonesian leader had said such plans would require the approval of Gaza's neighboring countries, including the Palestinian authorities. To this end, he had traveled to the Middle East to get Arab leaders on board with the proposal. 

Whenever Israel ramped up its attack, Indonesia did not hold back on condemning the airstrikes. Prabowo had also sent his chief diplomat, Sugiono, to amass international support for Palestinian independence. 

But Prabowo’s stance on Palestine is not something new. During his defense minister days, he repeatedly voiced support for Palestine. As a case in point, the 2024 Shangri-La Dialogue saw Prabowo calling the two-state solution "the only real solution to a lasting peace and security for both Palestine and Israel". Anti-colonialism also took center stage in Prabowo's inaugural speech as he drew lessons from Indonesia's past as a Dutch colony.

“We were even seen lower than dogs [in the past]. … That is why we have that solidarity principle. We have to defend the oppressed, and that is why we support Palestinian independence,” Prabowo said.

Prabowo, known for his frequent international trips, has just set foot in Egypt to attend a Gaza summit set to be led by Trump. Their Egyptian counterpart Abdel Fattah el-Sisi will also co-chair the talks. The summit came against the backdrop of Trump's 20-point peace plan. Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas have also agreed to the first phase of a ceasefire and hostage release deal.

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