February 3, 2026
JAKARTA – Indonesia has condemned Israel’s latest air strikes and repeated ceasefire breaches in Gaza, amid public concerns that its long-standing pro-Palestinian stance is softening after joining the United States-controlled Board of Peace
The Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Monday that Israel’s attacks in the exclave constitute a violation of the ceasefire currently in force.
“Indonesia calls on Israel, as a party to the ceasefire agreement, to fulfill its obligations and fully respect the agreement,” the ministry said.
Israel launched its latest air strike in Khan Yunis city in the southern Gaza Strip on Saturday, killing at least 32 people, mostly women and children, AFP reported.
The deadly strike came just days after US President Donald Trump held the launch ceremony of the Board of Peace for Gaza, a US-driven panel tasked with overseeing Gaza’s post-conflict administration and reconstruction.
The board was first proposed in November under Trump’s 20-point Gaza peace plan, which aligns with the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) Resolution 2803. The plan has entered its second phase, focusing on demilitarization and reconstruction.
President Prabowo Subianto signed off on Indonesia’s membership at the ceremony in Switzerland, joining a coalition of Islamic countries including Turkey, Egypt, Jordan, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
In a joint statement on Monday, the foreign ministries of the eight countries strongly condemned Israel’s repeated ceasefire violations.
The statement noted such actions risk fueling tensions and undermining peace efforts “at a time when regional and international parties are working collectively to advance the second phase of the President Donald Trump’s peace plan and to implement [UNSC Resolution 2803].”
Domestic backlash
Since joining the board, the government has faced widespread criticism from members of the public and academics.
Home to the world’s largest Muslim population and a long-standing supporter of the Palestinian cause, Indonesia has consistently advocated for a two-state solution and maintains no diplomatic ties with Israel.
Several prominent organizations, including the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI), have urged the government to withdraw from the board, with the MUI describing it as “a neocolonialism project.”
Dafri Agussalim, an international relations expert at Yogyakarta-based Gadjah Mada University (UGM), called the recent Israeli attacks “a harsh blow” for Jakarta, whose decision to join the board signals a softening of the country’s long-embedded pro-Palestinian stance.
“This is a major setback, particularly for the general public, and shows a contradiction to our own constitution,” Dafri told The Jakarta Post on Monday, adding that the decision appears to be highly “pragmatic” and centered solely on presidential authority.
He warned the board could place Indonesia in a “trapped position” between Trump’s agendas favoring Israel and the underrepresentation of Palestinian rights.
Meanwhile, amid ongoing debate over the country’s shifting foreign policy, speculation over a cabinet shake-up has intensified following the reassignment of Prabowo’s nephew Thomas Djiwandono to a senior post at the central bank. Foreign Minister Sugiono is among those rumored to face possible dismissal.
Questions have also emerged over the $1 billion price tag for Indonesia’s permanent seat on the board.
State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi told reporters on Monday that the contribution is part of Indonesia’s commitment to advocate for Palestinian independence, state news agency Antara reported.
He added that Prabowo has been pursuing “closed diplomatic paths” with other board members in response to the recent Gaza air strikes.