Indonesia’s Prabowo Joins Global Leaders for Gaza Peace Summit

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto is attending a significant peace summit in Egypt on October 13, 2023, to discuss a potential resolution to the ongoing conflict in Gaza. This summit, hosted by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, aims to finalize an agreement that has been in the works for over two years. Prabowo’s participation comes at a crucial time, as the international community closely monitors Indonesia’s role in the peace process.

Arriving around 07:00 local time, Prabowo is accompanied by Foreign Affairs Minister Sugiono and Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya, as confirmed by a statement from the Presidential Office. The summit is expected to gather approximately 20 world leaders, including notable figures such as US President Donald Trump, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Although Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was initially expected to attend, he later announced that he would not be part of the proceedings.

Indonesia’s Commitment to Peace in the Middle East

During the summit, Prabowo is anticipated to witness the signing of a peace and ceasefire agreement concerning Gaza, as outlined by his presidential office. The statement emphasized that Prabowo’s invitation reflects Indonesia’s significant role in promoting peace efforts in the region. State Secretary Minister Prasetyo Hadi revealed that the invitation was unexpectedly received on October 12, 2023, and had not been part of Prabowo’s prior agenda.

“The timing was quite sudden, but the invitation earnestly requested President Prabowo’s presence,” Prasetyo stated. He further underscored Indonesia’s commitment to fostering diplomatic relations and supporting peace initiatives. In preparation for potential outcomes from the summit, Prabowo has directed the Indonesian Armed Forces to ready peacekeeping troops for possible deployment in the Gaza Strip, contingent on a favorable agreement and approval from the United Nations Security Council. “If a constructive agreement is reached, a troop deployment is possible,” Prasetyo added.

Implications for Indonesia’s Global Standing

Prabowo’s presence at the summit marks a notable moment for Indonesia as it seeks to enhance its international standing, particularly concerning Middle Eastern affairs. Teuku Rezasyah, an expert on international relations from Padjajaran University, noted that Indonesia is among the few Southeast Asian nations participating, especially given its lack of diplomatic ties with Israel. “President Prabowo is charismatic domestically and widely accepted internationally,” Rezasyah remarked, highlighting Indonesia’s position as home to the largest Muslim population in the world.

Despite the positive implications of his attendance, Rezasyah cautioned Prabowo to be mindful of the event’s symbolism. Any gestures made by Prabowo could be scrutinized, particularly regarding his proximity to Israeli officials. “The Indonesian public will be watching Prabowo’s role closely, and it is crucial that his visit does not convey an impression of establishing diplomatic relations with Israel,” he noted.

Reports indicate that Netanyahu was initially inclined to participate after a late phone call with President al-Sisi; however, his office later denied the claims of his attendance. Meanwhile, the summit serves as a potential platform for Trump to advocate for enhanced ties between Israel and nations that have yet to recognize it diplomatically. Rezasyah suggested that Trump could later portray the summit as a success, exceeding expectations.

The backdrop of the summit includes serious allegations against Israel regarding its actions in Gaza, with United Nations investigators recently accusing the country of committing acts of genocide against Palestinians. Earlier, Prabowo expressed Indonesia’s readiness to send at least 20,000 troops as peacekeepers to Gaza to support any future agreements during his address at the UN General Assembly on September 23, 2023.

As the international community awaits the outcomes of the summit, Indonesia’s commitment to peace and stability in the region remains a focal point of global attention.