Jakarta. Indonesia is placing a heavy diplomatic burden on President Prabowo Subianto as he heads to the inaugural Board of Peace (BOP) summit in the United States, where he is expected to champion Palestinian independence and reaffirm Jakarta’s constitutional mandate to uphold global peace.

Foreign policy observers warn the mission will not be straightforward. Teuku Rezasyah, an international relations expert, noted that the term “Palestine” is absent from the BOP charter, an absence he described as the core challenge facing Prabowo’s diplomacy.

“It is undeniable that the keyword ‘Palestine’ is not included in the charter of the Board of Peace,” Rezasyah said, stressing that discussions about peace would be meaningless if Palestinians themselves are not represented. “There is no point in talking about peace in Palestine if Palestine is not represented.”

He added that Prabowo carries a strategic and symbolic mandate, both from Indonesia and, psychologically, from the Palestinian people, to push for recognition and ultimately a two-state solution. “Our president holds a highly strategic position… carrying the mission of ensuring that Palestinian independence is realized, and that realization is the two-state solution,” he said.

According to Rezasyah, Indonesia is effectively operating on two diplomatic tracks: ongoing deliberations at the United Nations and the newly formed BOP structure, whose organizational clarity remains uncertain.

“The challenge facing the Indonesian president will be very heavy because we are moving on two tracks,” he said, calling the situation both an institutional and intellectual test for Prabowo.

Lawmakers in Jakarta voiced support while emphasizing the need for clear direction. Oleh Soleh, a member of the House of Representatives Commission I overseeing foreign affairs, said parliament would back Prabowo’s involvement but would closely monitor the BOP’s guiding framework and ultimate objectives.

“One thing we will closely oversee is ensuring the direction of the BOP, where its guidance leads and what its ultimate goal is,” Soleh said, warning that without a clear roadmap, “the realization of Palestinian independence will be further delayed.”

He added that Prabowo’s participation reflects comprehensive geopolitical analysis spanning the Middle East, global dynamics, and domestic considerations, and expressed hope the Indonesian leader would remind global powers of fundamental human rights.