Prabowo Subianto: Indonesia ready to deploy peacekeeping troops to Gaza

INDONESIA: Prabowo Subianto, the Minister of Defense and the President-elect of the Republic of Indonesia, stated that Indonesia is prepared to send peacekeeping troops to the Gaza region, Palestine, for the period 2024-2029.

Prabowo made this announcement on Saturday (1 June) at the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) Shangri-La Dialogue 2024 forum in Singapore.

Responding swiftly to Prabowo’s declaration, the Indonesian National Army (TNI) affirmed its readiness to undertake peace operations under the United Nations (UN) mandate.

Major General Nugraha Gumilar, Head of the TNI Information Center, assured that TNI soldiers are prepared to execute any state orders for peacekeeping missions.

“The TNI is ready to carry out peace operations under the UN flag, anytime and anywhere if it is the state’s order,” stated Nugraha, as reported by CNN Indonesia on Sunday (2 June).

Nugraha emphasized that TNI soldiers are always poised to fulfill state mandates, which aligns with the directives set forth in the preamble to the 1945 Constitution.

“If there is an order, the TNI will prepare a UN peacekeeping force,” he added.

During his special address at the IISS Shangri-La Dialogue, Prabowo underscored Indonesia’s commitment to peace, security, stability, and prosperity as the cornerstones of its international engagement.

“For Indonesia, the pursuit of peace, security, stability, and prosperity is the main foundation of our international engagement. We believe that only through dialogue and cooperation can we achieve these goals,” he stated.

Highlighting the importance of international collaboration, Prabowo reiterated Indonesia’s dedication to fostering dialogue and cooperation among nations to achieve mutual interests.

He also stressed the Indonesian government’s commitment to upholding international law, particularly respecting national sovereignty and territorial integrity as mandated by the UN Charter.

Prabowo condemns attacks in Gaza, offers peacekeeping troops and medical aid

Prabowo specifically addressed the conflict in Gaza, condemning Israel’s actions in attacking civilians in Rafah.

He called for an immediate investigation into these incidents, which have resulted in the loss of innocent lives, including children, women, and unarmed citizens.

“I would like to highlight the recent tragic events in Rafah which have caused the loss of many innocent lives, including children, women, and unarmed civilians. These heartbreaking incidents encourage us to immediately call for a thorough investigation into this humanitarian disaster,” he remarked.

He advocated for a two-state solution as the only viable path to lasting peace and security for Israel and Palestine.

“We believe that along with many other countries in the world today, the only real solution for lasting peace and security for Israel and Palestine is a two-state solution,” Prabowo stated.

Prabowo also confirmed Indonesia’s readiness to deploy peacekeeping troops and medical personnel to Gaza if requested by the UN.

“We have been prepared to do whatever we can to provide humanitarian assistance as needed and when requested by the UN we are prepared to contribute a significant peacekeeping force to maintain and monitor these ceasefire efforts and provide protection and security to everyone,” he said.

Additionally, Indonesia is willing to send medical teams to operate a field hospital in Gaza and evacuate civilians injured in the conflict.

“We are also ready to immediately send medical personnel to operate a field hospital in Gaza with the approval of all parties. Indonesia is also very willing to evacuate and treat injured Palestinians and those who need treatment in Indonesian hospitals. We are willing to evacuate up to 1,000 patients in the near future if the situation allows,” Prabowo concluded.

Indonesia reaffirmed its unwavering support for the Palestinian cause, emphasizing a dual approach of political advocacy and humanitarian aid.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs underscored Indonesia’s commitment to the Palestinian struggle through active participation in international forums such as the UN, OIC, and other global organizations.

Additionally, Indonesia has demonstrated significant humanitarian aid efforts.

As of April 2024, the country has dispatched over 4,400 tons of aid, comprising contributions from both governmental and non-governmental entities.

Israel’s offensive in response to the 7 October attack by Hamas has resulted in over 36,000 Palestinian deaths, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry.

The operation has obliterated entire neighbourhoods, forced hundreds of thousands to flee their homes, and pushed parts of the territory toward famine.

At the same time, according to the Times of Israel, Indonesia has been engaged in confidential discussions for several months with Israel and the OECD Secretary-General Mathias Cormann, aiming to resolve the hurdles to its potential OECD membership.

This dialogue has centred on the significant shift that would be required for Indonesia to normalize diplomatic ties with Israel, a move likely to quell Israeli objections to Indonesia’s accession.

The OECD membership process demands unanimous approval from current members, a challenge given Israel’s previous objections linked to the absence of formal ties.

A recent development in these negotiations includes a conditional agreement necessitating normalization between the two nations before Indonesia can join the OECD.

Despite these high-stakes discussions, Indonesia has maintained its public silence on the matter, consistently supporting Palestine and conditioning any formal relations with Israel on the establishment of an independent Palestinian state.

Notably, Indonesia’s recent participation in an airdrop relief mission over Gaza hints at a potential shift towards more open interactions with Israel, reflecting a complex interplay of geopolitical, economic, and humanitarian considerations.