The Board of Peace was initially established to ensure that post-conflict reconstruction in Gaza proceeds effectively.
However, a draft of its founding charter suggests the council’s future role will not be limited to the territory. The White House had said there would be a main board, a Palestinian committee of technocrats meant to govern devastated Gaza and a second “executive board” that appears designed to have a more advisory role.
Indonesia announced on Jan 22 it would accept an invitation to join the Board of Peace through a joint declaration by the foreign ministers of several Muslim-majority countries, namely Türkiye, Egypt, Jordan, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
The move, although seen by some as a diplomatic opportunity for the country, has also sparked concerns among experts over foreign policy risks and potential domestic fallout – namely, the risk of being drawn into a pro-American orbit that prioritises the US president’s agenda.
Cholil Nafis, deputy chairman of the Indonesia Ulema Council, said Prabowo had reassured on Tuesday that Indonesia would not hesitate to distance itself from the Board of Peace if its actions diverged from the country’s principles.
”(He said) if we join the Board of Peace, we are not obliged to go along when they do not align with our views. Second, if no changes can be made, he (President Prabowo) is prepared to withdraw from the board,” Nafis told reporters, describing his understanding of Prabowo’s comments at the meeting.
Nafis added that he had expressed his scepticism about the initiative, cautioning against any potential deployment of Indonesian peacekeeping forces that could end up confronting Palestinians seeking independence.
“We do not want a false peace while the Palestinian people remain under occupation,” he was quoted as saying by Antara.
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/indonesia-gaza-board-peace-withdraw-palestinian-independence-prabowo-subianto-5912181
