Indonesia's support for Palestine is not merely a foreign policy stance, but a historical mandate and a moral calling.
Historically, de facto recognition of Indonesian independence came from the Palestinian figure, Grand Mufti of Jerusalem, Sheikh Muhammad Amin al-Husseini, who on September 6, 1944 expressed his support for Indonesian independence, even before the proclamation of August 17, 1945.
This support was then strengthened through the Middle Eastern diplomatic network in the period 1945–1947, when the Republic of Indonesia was still struggling to maintain its independence from Dutch aggression.
Therefore, today the Palestinian people are still in the midst of a prolonged conflict, especially since the occupation of the West Bank and Gaza by Israel in the Six Day War, 5–10 June 1967,Indonesia has historical, ethical, and constitutional reasons to continue to stand in the ranks of defenders of Palestinian independence.
In recent decades, various major escalations have occurred, including the Gaza conflict in December 2008 – January 2009, July – August 2014,and the latest series of escalations since October 7, 2023, which triggered a massive Israeli military response in the Gaza Strip. Global diplomatic efforts have often failed and failed to produce a permanent solution.
The peace initiative that was mediated by the Donald Trump administration, especially through the proposal known as “Peace to Prosperity” which was announced on January 28, 2020 in Washington D.C.,does not result in full Palestinian independence.
On the other hand, the President of the Republic of Indonesia, Prabowo Subianto, since his inauguration on October 20, 2024, has consistently expressed support for the two-state solution and full independence of Palestine in any international forums 2024-2025.
In the latest developments, Indonesia's cooperation within the framework of the Board of Peace (BoP) initiated by Donald Trump in early 2026 is intended as an international mechanism to monitor ceasefire, security stabilization, and post-conflict reconstruction of Gaza.
The BoP Charter was signed by President Prabowo on January 22, 2026 at an international forum in Davos, Switzerland.
Formally, the goal of the BoP is to integrate ceasefire efforts with reconstruction and civil governance plans, while promoting a two-state solution living side by side peacefully. Indonesia positions itself as part of a balancing force so that the process does not ignore Palestine's right to independence.
However, in fact, various international journalistic reports throughout January to February 2026 show that Israel's military attacks on Gaza have not completely stopped.
On January 31, 2026, for example, airstrikes were reported that killed dozens of civilians in Gaza, including women and children, even as stabilization discussions were underway.This fact raises critical questions about the effectiveness of the BoP in stopping violence on the ground. A number of analysts believe that without real political and economic pressure on those who continue to conduct military operations, the peace forum risks becoming a diplomatic symbol without coercive power.
Criticism also emerged because the BoP structure was deemed not to have fully provided an equal position for Palestinian representation in strategic decision-making, while Israel remains part of the mechanism. Domestically, public discourse has emerged regarding Indonesia's funding sources and contributions within the BoP framework and the extent to which that participation actually impacts the protection of Palestinian civilians.
The Indonesian government itself stated that this involvement was part of its free and active foreign policy, playing a direct role in solutions, not just being an observer.
However, when we are in the BoP ranks, then the steps seem weak towards Trump's decisions and actions, then the world will judge us as siding with President Donald Trump which clearly shows that they have never seriously supported Palestinian independence. This is where our Non-Aligned position can be debated.
The principle of active independence was rooted in Soekarno's leadership since August 18, 1945 and was confirmed at the Asia Africa Conference which took place on April 18–24, 1955.
The Ten Principles of Bandung firmly reject colonialism in all its forms. Therefore, Indonesia's involvement in any forum, including the BoP, should remain grounded in an anti-colonial and support for the independence of nations.
The Qur'an itself provides moral warnings and ethical principles in conflict.
The Cow (2:190)
وَقَـٰتِلُوا۟ فِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلَّذِينَ يُقَـٰتِلُونَكُمْ وَلَا تَعْتَدُوٓا۟ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يُحِبُّ ٱلْمُعْتَدِينَ ١٩٠
Fight in the cause of Allah ˹only˺ against those who wage war against you, but do not exceed the limits. Allah does not like transgressors.
This verse, which was revealed around 624 AD, emphasizes that self-defense is justified, but aggression and exceeding limits are forbidden. In the contemporary context, this principle demands an end to attacks on civilians and respect for international humanitarian law.
Thus, the facts on the ground show that there is a gap between the peace forum and military reality. Indonesia's cooperation in the BoP can be seen as a diplomatic endeavor but its effectiveness depends heavily on the real commitment of all parties, including Israel and its major supporting countries. As long as military attacks continue to occur and civilian casualties continue to occur, the diplomatic struggle cannot be said to be completely successful.
Indonesia's stance needs to remain consistent, active in diplomacy, firm in principle, and stand for Palestinian independence as mandated by the history and constitution of the Republic of Indonesia.
Amidst the complexity of geopolitics and the tug-of-war of global interests, one crucial issue that is often overlooked in strategic discussions is the issue of funding.
In modern political reality, financial power determines the direction of policy, military strength, and diplomatic bargaining power.
A defense budget worth hundreds of billions of dollars could easily be converted into cutting-edge weaponry, layered defense systems, and advanced military technology. Ironically, while some countries are able to allocate large funds to strengthen their war machines, the Palestinian people still depend on international humanitarian aid to simply survive.
Therefore, in addition to political diplomacy, economic diplomacy and systematically organized financial solidarity of the people are needed. In the classical Islamic government tradition, an institution known as Baitul Maal.
Historically, Baitul Maal has existed since the time of the Prophet Muhammad in Medina in the period 622–632 AD, then developed administratively during the time of Caliph Umar bin Khattab who ruled 634–644 AD.
Baitul Maal functions as a public financial institution that collects zakat, alms, donations, endowments and other legitimate sources to then be distributed to people in need and for the public interest.
This concept is relevant to the current context. The establishment of a transparent, professional and accountable international Baitul Maal that can be initiated by Indonesia as the country with the largest Muslim population in the world could potentially be a concrete step in supporting Palestine.
Global zakat funds, if managed collectively and strategically, can be used to finance health services, education, infrastructure development, people's economic recovery, to social protection for orphans and victims of conflict in Palestine.
In Islam, zakat is an obligatory act of worship with social and spiritual dimensions. This differs from taxes, which are an administrative obligation of the state and whose use is determined by fiscal policy. Zakat has special provisions regarding its amount and recipients as mentioned in the Qur'an, including in QS. At-Taubah verse 60 regarding the eight groups of zakat recipients.
Zakat is not just an instrument for redistributing wealth, but also a mechanism for purifying wealth and social solidarity, hence the clear command from ALLAH in Surah At Taubah verse 103, Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala says:
The Repentance (9:103)
خُذْ مِنْ أَمْوَٰلِهِمْ صَدَقَةًۭ تُطَهِّرُهُمْ وَتُزَكِّيهِم بِهَا وَصَلِّ عَلَيْهِمْ ۖ إِنَّ صَلَوٰتَكَ سَكَنٌۭ لَّهُمْ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ سَمِيعٌ عَلِيمٌ ١٠٣
Take from their wealth ˹O Prophet˺ charity to purify and bless them, and pray for them—surely your prayer is a source of comfort for them. And Allah is All-Hearing, All-Knowing.
QS. At-Taubah 9: Verse 103. It is clear that ZAKAT MUST BE TAKEN, not just passively receiving 2.5% of it, but at least BY HIS WILL 20% [QS. Surah 8 verse 41]
The Spoils of War (8:41)
۞ وَٱعْلَمُوٓا۟ أَنَّمَا غَنِمْتُم مِّن شَىْءٍۢ فَأَنَّ لِلَّهِ خُمُسَهُۥ وَلِلرَّسُولِ وَلِذِى ٱلْقُرْبَىٰ وَٱلْيَتَـٰمَىٰ وَٱلْمَسَـٰكِينِ وَٱبْنِ ٱلسَّبِيلِ إِن كُنتُمْ ءَامَنتُم بِٱللَّهِ وَمَآ أَنزَلْنَا عَلَىٰ عَبْدِنَا يَوْمَ ٱلْفُرْقَانِ يَوْمَ ٱلْتَقَى ٱلْجَمْعَانِ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَىْءٍۢ قَدِيرٌ ٤١
Know that whatever spoils you take, one-fifth is for Allah and the Messenger, his close relatives, orphans, the poor, and ˹needy˺ travellers, if you ˹truly˺ believe in Allah and what We revealed to Our servant on that decisive day when the two armies met ˹at Badr˺. And Allah is Most Capable of everything.
This verse, which was revealed after the Battle of Badr on 17 Ramadhan 2 H (13 March 624 AD), emphasizes the principle of distributing wealth for the benefit of the public and vulnerable groups.
Even though the context is ghanimah, the spirit shows that in the Islamic system there is a mechanism for distributing wealth to prevent the accumulation of wealth in the hands of a few people/parties.
If the world's Muslims collectively allocate their zakat, infaq and alms through a neatly coordinated international Baitul Maal, then the potential funds can become a powerful force to support the social and economic resilience of Palestine.
With this step, the people will no longer solely depend on the commitments of large countries which are often tied to geopolitical interests and strategic alliances. Solidarity does not stop at political statements, but is realized in a real, measurable, and sustainable financing system. Thus, the struggle for Palestine requires two parallel paths, consistent political diplomacy and institutionalized economic solidarity.Indonesia, with its historical legacy since August 17, 1945, the spirit of the Asia Africa Conference, and the principle of independent and active rule inherited by Soekarno, has the moral legitimacy to lead this step. Peace is not only born from the negotiating table, but also from the courage to build a system that supports justice.
Support for Palestine must move from rhetoric to the architecture of concrete, sovereign and dignified and solutions in the form of policies that save Palestine, our brothers and sisters in faith, Islam, and Jeehad.
Written by : Brother Eggi Sudjana (BES)
