Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto’s call for a "Free Palestine" at a conference marking the centenary of the "Darussalam Gontor" Islamic institution in East Java may appear to signal an escalation in the Indonesian government's stance toward Israel. Viewed in the broader context of Indonesian politics, however, it does not necessarily indicate a deterioration in the government's stance, but rather points to two dimensions existing simultaneously.
Support for the Palestinians and Palestinian independence is deeply rooted in Indonesian public and political discourse and is not confined to Islamist circles. In this context, it is also important to understand the local meaning of "Free Palestine," which in Indonesian discourse is generally associated with the concept of Kemerdekaan Palestina (Palestinian independence). In this sense, Prabowo's call aligns with the demand for the establishment of a Palestinian state. It should not, in itself, be interpreted as a call for Israel’s elimination, unlike slogans such as "From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free," which echo in the West.
Nor is this call new; Prabowo also called for a “Free Palestine” in 2014, when running for president. On the other hand, over the years he has demonstrated a pragmatic approach toward Israel. In late 2021, for example, reports said that Prabowo met with the then-head of Israel's National Security Council, and was also photographed conversing with Israeli diplomats on the sidelines of a conference in Bahrain. Furthermore, when Australia previously considered recognizing Jerusalem as Israel's capital, Prabowo voiced no objection or protest.
Therefore, Prabowo's recent remarks do not contradict his call at the UN General Assembly last year to advance a two-state solution, while emphasizing the importance of safeguarding Israel's security. These are two complementary statements that form part of an ongoing tension in Indonesia's approach in general, and Prabowo's in particular: public and unequivocal public identification with the Palestinian aspiration for independence alongside political pragmatism toward establishing future relations with Israel, provided that Israel is willing to recognize a Palestinian state.
Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto’s call for a "Free Palestine" at a conference marking the centenary of the "Darussalam Gontor" Islamic institution in East Java may appear to signal an escalation in the Indonesian government's stance toward Israel. Viewed in the broader context of Indonesian politics, however, it does not necessarily indicate a deterioration in the government's stance, but rather points to two dimensions existing simultaneously.
Support for the Palestinians and Palestinian independence is deeply rooted in Indonesian public and political discourse and is not confined to Islamist circles. In this context, it is also important to understand the local meaning of "Free Palestine," which in Indonesian discourse is generally associated with the concept of Kemerdekaan Palestina (Palestinian independence). In this sense, Prabowo's call aligns with the demand for the establishment of a Palestinian state. It should not, in itself, be interpreted as a call for Israel’s elimination, unlike slogans such as "From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free," which echo in the West.
Nor is this call new; Prabowo also called for a “Free Palestine” in 2014, when running for president. On the other hand, over the years he has demonstrated a pragmatic approach toward Israel. In late 2021, for example, reports said that Prabowo met with the then-head of Israel's National Security Council, and was also photographed conversing with Israeli diplomats on the sidelines of a conference in Bahrain. Furthermore, when Australia previously considered recognizing Jerusalem as Israel's capital, Prabowo voiced no objection or protest.
Therefore, Prabowo's recent remarks do not contradict his call at the UN General Assembly last year to advance a two-state solution, while emphasizing the importance of safeguarding Israel's security. These are two complementary statements that form part of an ongoing tension in Indonesia's approach in general, and Prabowo's in particular: public and unequivocal public identification with the Palestinian aspiration for independence alongside political pragmatism toward establishing future relations with Israel, provided that Israel is willing to recognize a Palestinian state.