Indonesia Joins Trumps Board of Peace A Diplomatic Test for Palestines Future

Indonesia's decision to join the Board of Peace (BoP), initiated by US President Donald Trump, has sparked intense debate and deep analysis. The Indonesian government, represented by President Prabowo Subianto, signed the body's charter alongside seven other nations, including Egypt and Saudi Arabia. This move is claimed as a pragmatic diplomatic strategy to maintain influence in the Gaza peace process, ensuring that the commitment to a two-state solution is not sidelined.

However, the very essence of the BoP is the primary source of criticism. Launched at the World Economic Forum in Davos, the institution grants Donald Trump full veto power and does not explicitly include "Palestine" in its charter. Its mandate focuses on stabilization, the demilitarization of Gaza, and investment-oriented reconstruction, without a clear roadmap to Palestinian statehood. The involvement of figures like Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in its structure further fuels concerns that the BoP is a tool to entrench the status quo.

For Indonesia, this step is a high-stakes gamble. On one hand, there are arguments for "diplomacy from within" and global economic pressures, including trade relations with the US. On the other hand, there is a risk of eroding Indonesia's historical legitimacy as a leading supporter of Palestinian rights and its "free and active" foreign policy principle. The ultimate outcome will depend on Indonesia's real ability to steer the BoP's direction from within. If it fails, this participation may not only be ineffective but could also become a tacit endorsement of an unjust order for the Palestinian people.