Shangri-La Dialogue: Indonesia’s Prabowo calls for Palestinian state, end to war, remains firm on non-alignment in US-China rivalry

The former general added that Indonesia would “do whatever we can to provide humanitarian assistance” and contribute to peacekeeping efforts.

“Indonesia also is very willing to evacuate and treat wounded Palestinian civilians and those needing hospital care in Indonesian hospitals.”

Indonesia is home to the world’s largest Muslim population and has consistently expressed support for Palestine’s independence within the framework of a two-state solution.

Prabowo, 72, said the resolution should consider both Israel’s right to exist and the rights of the Palestinians “to have their own homeland, their own state, living in peace”.

“We are also cognisant of the fact that the resolution of this crisis must consist of mutual respect for the rights and the concerns of all parties. There cannot be a single narrative that is legitimate as it’s often been repeated,” he said.

He reiterated Jakarta’s commitment to the “support of comprehensive and permanent ceasefire” in the Middle East, which would be a move towards a “real peace between Israel and Palestine, and thus, real peace in the region”.

Prabowo won Indonesia’s February general election and is set to take over the reins in October.

“We must maintain the policy of non-alignment, of maintaining the best relations with all nations of the world,” he said.

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Indonesia’s new leader Prabowo Subianto meets Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing

Indonesia is not a claimant in the South China Sea territorial dispute, but Beijing and Jakarta have their own dispute over its exclusive economic zone in the North Natuna Islands.

This has led to skirmishes in the disputed waters a number of times in recent years, such as in December 2022 when China sent Coast Guard 5901, the world’s largest