President Takes Realistic Approach to Palestinian Conflict: Former Deputy Minister

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Former Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Dino Patti Djalal said President Prabowo Subianto is taking a realistic approach in addressing the Palestinian conflict, noting that the Board of Peace (BoP) is currently the only concrete option available.

“The fact is that the Board of Peace is part of the solution to end the ceasefire,” Dino said after meeting President Prabowo at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta on Wednesday, February 4, 2026.

He explained that the President sees an opportunity to achieve balance through the solidarity of Islamic countries, which could strengthen Indonesia’s diplomatic position. 

“If Indonesia’s leverage is not that great, it will be greater because we always maintain unity, for example, with Islamic countries such as Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Egypt, Jordan, and others. So the President is quite realistic, though there are risks,” Dino said.

Dino emphasized that the President prioritizes caution in following developments within the BoP. He said Indonesia would not hesitate to take a stance if it conflicted with national interests. “He has emphasized many times that he will not hesitate, even if others continue to join. This is what I perceive as an emphasis and affirmation that we appreciate,” Dino said.

Sharing his impressions of the meeting, Dino described the discussion as open and wide-ranging, covering strategic international issues. He added that the dialogue was candid and two-way, without restrictions on topics. 

Risks, worst-case scenarios, and potential negative impacts on Indonesia were also discussed. “I was surprised because the mood was totally open. The discussion was not one-sided. It was very open. It was full of feedback, criticism, risks, and all of that was accommodated and responded to directly by the President,” Dino said.

Meanwhile, former foreign minister Alwi Shihab, who served from 1999 to 2001, confirmed that President Prabowo remains committed to supporting Palestine, even though Indonesia has joined the BoP. “The most essential point in his explanation is that Indonesia has never strayed from its commitment to the Palestinian struggle,” Alwi said after attending the meeting. (Gusti Panji/Lasti Martina)