On September 22, 2025, amid the bustling 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto took center stage at the High-Level International Conference on the Peaceful Resolution of the Palestinian Issue and the Implementation of the Two-State Solution. His speech was no mere diplomatic formality; it was a bold declaration reaffirming Indonesia’s longstanding commitment to Palestinian statehood while offering concrete contributions to global peace efforts.
Addressing world leaders, Prabowo called for an immediate end to the violence in Gaza, urged widespread recognition of Palestine, and even pledged Indonesian peacekeeping forces under UN mandate. The response? Thunderous applause from the assembly, viral praise on social media, and a spotlight on Indonesia’s evolving role in international diplomacy. But is this just a bid for attention, or a strategic move with lasting impact for Indonesia? Let’s delve deeper.
Historical Ties: Indonesia’s Enduring Solidarity with Palestine
Indonesia’s support for Palestine is rooted in its own history of anti-colonial struggle. Since 1947, when the UN first debated the partition of Palestine, Indonesia’s founding father, Soekarno, voiced unwavering solidarity, embedding it in the nation’s 1945 Constitution, which mandates opposition to colonialism worldwide. This principle has guided Indonesia’s foreign policy through decades: as a key member of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), the country has consistently advocated for Palestinian rights at international forums. Under previous administrations, like that of Joko Widodo, Indonesia provided hundreds of millions in humanitarian aid to Gaza and rejected moves like the U.S. embassy relocation to Jerusalem in 2018.
The September 22 conference, co-hosted by the UN with support from France and Saudi Arabia, came at a critical juncture. The Gaza conflict, escalating since October 2023, has claimed over 35,000 lives, with 70% being women and children, creating a humanitarian catastrophe. Prabowo, speaking fifth after leaders from Jordan, Turkey, Brazil, and Portugal, drew on the New York Declaration—adopted by the UNGA on September 12, 2025—as a roadmap for peace, emphasizing that recognizing Palestine is essential for a sustainable two-state solution.
A Resonant Speech: Condemnation, Calls for Action, and Bold Offers
Prabowo’s roughly 10-minute address was packed with passion and pragmatism. He opened by condemning “all acts of violence against civilians in Gaza,” labeling the situation a “humanitarian catastrophe” that demands immediate cessation. “We must stop the killing of innocent civilians,” he asserted, reiterating that the two-state solution is the only path to enduring peace. He praised countries like France, Canada, Australia, and Portugal for recognizing Palestine, even standing to applaud French President Emmanuel Macron’s confirmation of France’s stance—a moment that quickly went viral.
The speech’s most striking element was Prabowo’s conditional recognition of Israel: Indonesia is ready to acknowledge Israel as a sovereign state if Israel first recognizes Palestinian independence. “Once Israel recognizes the independence and statehood of Palestine, Indonesia will immediately recognize the State of Israel and support all guarantees for Israel’s security,” he declared. This echoes his earlier statement during a May 2025 meeting with Macron but carried more weight on the UN stage. Adding substance, Prabowo offered Indonesian peacekeeping troops for a UN mission in Gaza post-ceasefire, highlighting Indonesia’s experience in UN operations like those in Lebanon and the Golan Heights.
The address earned resounding applause, especially when Prabowo urged, “History does not wait—we must recognize Palestine now.” Notably, his speech was quoted by the official State of Palestine account on X, signaling direct appreciation from Palestinian representatives. However, an intriguing incident occurred: Prabowo’s microphone briefly cut out mid-speech, similar to what happened to Turkish President Erdogan, sparking online speculation about “sabotage.”
Domestic and International Reactions: Applause, Praise, and Debates
At home, Prabowo’s speech ignited positive buzz. On X, Indonesian netizens hailed him as a “defender of Palestine,” with hashtags like #Prabowo #Palestina #PBB trending. Media outlets like CNN Indonesia and Harian Kompas published full transcripts, while House Speaker Puan Maharani praised it as embodying Indonesia’s active and independent foreign policy. Posts emphasized seven key points from the speech, including the two-state solution and peacekeeping offer. Even critical voices acknowledged its substance, though some debated the conditional recognition of Israel.
Internationally, coverage from outlets like Antara News and Tempo highlighted Indonesia’s balanced approach: supporting Palestine without ignoring Israel’s security. The absence of the U.S. and Israel from the conference drew implicit criticism from Prabowo, who stressed the UN’s credibility. On X, global users called Prabowo a “courageous leader,” though discussions touched on potential tensions with Arab nations over recognizing Israel. Videos of the applause-filled hall went viral, underscoring the speech’s impact.
The Broader Implications for Indonesia: Beyond Symbolism
This support is far more than optics—it’s a strategic alignment with Indonesia’s free and active foreign policy. Diplomatically, it bolsters Indonesia’s leadership in NAM and OIC, leveraging its status as the world’s largest Muslim-majority nation to enhance influence in the Middle East and Africa. With 142 UN members backing the New York Declaration, Prabowo’s stance positions Indonesia as a bridge-builder in multilateral efforts.
Economically, while no formal ties exist with Israel, bilateral trade grew 18.77% to $165.7 million from January to July 2025. Conditional recognition could unlock investments in technology and defense, balancing solidarity with pragmatism. Security-wise, the peacekeeping pledge enhances the Indonesian military’s (TNI) experience and projects a positive image to Western allies, without compromising anti-colonial principles.
Domestically, it strengthens Prabowo’s support among Islamic groups and youth, with positive X reactions framing it as a “historic statement.” Critics, however, question if it’s “symbolism without substance,” especially amid ongoing debates on the two-state solution’s feasibility post-genocide.
Conclusion: A Step Toward Global Peace
Prabowo’s UN appearance marks a new chapter in Indonesian diplomacy: assertive, practical, and visionary. It’s not just about supporting Palestine but urging the world to act decisively. As Prabowo stated in his follow-up UNGA speech on September 23, Indonesia remains committed to multilateralism and global peace. In an era of uncertainty, this positions Indonesia as a voice for humanity. As he aptly put it, “History does not wait”—and Indonesia is ready to lead the way.
