Jakarta. US President Donald Trump recently thanked Indonesia and several other nations that had pledged to back his stabilization mission in Gaza.

Trump made the comment when he returned to the UN's iconic green marble podium on Tuesday local time. Speaking in front of world leaders, Trump touted his plans for the war-battered Gaza, including the peacekeeping mission: the International Stabilization Force (ISF). Indonesia has not only committed troops, but is in its upper management.

“I also want to thank those who have committed troops, police, and training to help stabilize Gaza, including Indonesia, Morocco, Albania, Kosovo, Kazakhstan, Egypt, Jordan, and more,” Trump said at the UN General Assembly.

Trump trumpeted the Board of Peace — another Gaza-related initiative backed by Indonesia — in his UN speech. The board aims to support Gaza’s reconstruction, although its chair-for-life Trump has signaled extending its remit to resolving other global conflicts.

"[The board] is going to be a very significant group of people. Nearly 30 countries have joined the board, which I am honored to chair," Trump said, while thanking the members such as Saudi Arabia and Qatar who had declared its financial pledges.

Earlier this year, Indonesia decided to put Board of Peace-related discussions on hold following the Iran war that was triggered by a US surprise attack. Indonesia had mulled sending up to 8,000 personnel to the ISF. The US has picked Indonesia as the deputy commander to the ISF, although Jakarta has yet to name which military official will assume this role. 

President Prabowo Subianto’s decision to join the board has triggered backlash at home. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is in this board. Many Indonesians believe sharing a seat with Israel will be contradictory to Jakarta’s longstanding pro-Palestinian stance. In a handpicked interview session in March, Prabowo said that Indonesia’s involvement would be limited to peacekeeping support. He, however, claimed that Indonesia had “never promised to pay the $1 billion fee” that Trump had requested from the board members.

At the UN, Prabowo is skipping this year’s debate and has handed over the task of addressing the stage to Foreign Minister Sugiono. The chief diplomat has already arrived in New York.

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