A United Nations special rapporteur has advised Indonesia to reassess its participation in a U.S.-backed Gaza peace initiative, citing concerns that the plan is primarily shaped by Israel and the United States, thereby marginalizing Palestinian perspectives.
The "Board of Peace," unveiled by former U.S. President Donald Trump in January, aims to address global conflicts often handled by the United Nations. Indonesia, the world's most populous Muslim-majority nation, has committed to contributing troops to this board and potentially deploying them to Gaza as part of an international stabilization force.
Francesca Albanese, the UN special rapporteur on human rights in the occupied Palestinian territories, expressed apprehension during a recent interview in Jakarta. While acknowledging Indonesia's historical support for the Palestinian cause, she characterized its involvement in the board as potentially perilous, stating that it risks "normalizing a very abnormal mechanism." Albanese emphasized that, under international law, Israel should not hold a decisive role in determining the future of Palestinians.
Rights experts have previously criticized the board for lacking Palestinian representation, despite its intended oversight of the temporary governance of Palestinian territory. Indonesia's Foreign Ministry has indicated that discussions surrounding the Board of Peace are currently on hold, maintaining its prior stance. President Prabowo Subianto has previously stated his intention to withdraw from the board if it does not yield benefits for Palestinians, adding that participation would enable Indonesia to advocate for a cessation of hostilities.
Albanese suggested that Indonesia could compromise its longstanding relationship with Palestinians by adhering to rules set by Israel. She proposed that Jakarta consider joining the Hague Group, an alliance that includes South Africa and Malaysia, which focuses on upholding international law and legal processes, including actions before the International Criminal Court concerning alleged Israeli actions.
