Peace Begins with Respect: Indonesia’s Bold Call for a Safer Israel and a Free Palestine

A Historic Moment at the United Nations: Indonesia’s Surprising Message

Peace Begins with Respect – On September 22, 2025, the world witnessed a powerful and unexpected speech at the United Nations General Assembly in New York. President Prabowo Subianto of Indonesia, the leader of the world’s largest Muslim-majority country, stood before global leaders and made a statement that surprised many:

“We will have peace only when we recognize, respect, and guarantee the security of Israel.”

For decades, Indonesia has supported the Palestinian cause and refused to establish diplomatic ties with Israel. But now, President Prabowo is offering a new path: Indonesia will recognize Israel, but only if Israel first recognizes the independence and sovereignty of Palestine.

This message was delivered during the High-Level International Conference for the Peaceful Settlement of the Palestinian Issue and the Implementation of the Two-State Solution, co-hosted by France and Saudi Arabia. The event brought together leaders from around the world to discuss peace in the Middle East.

President Prabowo’s speech was emotional, bold, and clear. He spoke of the suffering in Gaza, the need for justice, and the importance of historical responsibility. He ended his speech with the word “Shalom”—a Hebrew word meaning peace.

Why Indonesia’s Statement Matters: A New Chapter in Global Diplomacy

Indonesia is home to over 270 million people, with nearly 90% identifying as Muslim. For decades, its foreign policy has strongly supported Palestinian independence. The country has never had formal diplomatic relations with Israel, although trade between the two nations has quietly grown in recent years.

So why does this statement matter?

• It breaks a long-standing silence: Indonesia has always supported Palestine, but now it’s also openly talking about Israel’s right to security.
• It offers a balanced approach: Prabowo’s message is not one-sided. He is asking for peace for both Palestine and Israel.
• It shows leadership: By speaking at the UN and offering peacekeeping troops, Indonesia is stepping up as a global peacebuilder.

President Prabowo said, “We believe in the UN. We will continue to serve where peace needs guardians—not with just words, but with boots on the ground.” He even offered to send 20,000 Indonesian peacekeepers to Gaza if the UN requests it.

This is a bold move. It shows that Indonesia is not just talking about peace, it is ready to act.

The Two-State Solution: A Path to Peace for Both Nations

At the heart of Prabowo’s speech was the idea of the “Two-State Solution.” This plan has been supported by many countries and international organizations. It means creating two independent countries, Israel and Palestine, living side by side in peace.

“Only the Two-State Solution will lead to peace. We must guarantee statehood for Palestine. But once Israel recognizes Palestine, Indonesia will immediately recognize Israel.”

This is a powerful message. It says that peace must be fair. Both sides must be respected. Both sides must be safe.

Indonesia’s support for the Two-State Solution is not new. But this time, the message was stronger and more direct. Prabowo called on other countries to act. He said:

“To those who have yet to act, we say: history does not stand still. We must recognize Palestine now.”

Many countries have already recognized Palestine, including France, Canada, Australia, the United Kingdom, Portugal, and Mexico. Indonesia is now asking others to join this movement.

What This Means for the Future: Hope, Challenges, and Global Impact

President Prabowo’s speech has opened a new door. But what happens next?

Hope for Peace

• If Israel agrees to recognize Palestine, it could lead to formal peace talks.
• Indonesia’s offer to recognize Israel could encourage other Muslim-majority countries to do the same.
• The presence of peacekeepers could help reduce violence and protect civilians.

Challenges Ahead

• Israel has not yet agreed to recognize Palestinian statehood.
• Some groups in Indonesia may oppose the idea of recognizing Israel.
• The situation in Gaza remains dangerous, with ongoing violence and humanitarian crises.

Global Impact

• Indonesia’s statement could inspire other countries to take bold steps.
• It shows that even long-standing conflicts can find new paths to peace.
• It reminds the world that peace requires courage, respect, and action.

President Prabowo’s speech was not just about politics. It was about humanity. He spoke of the suffering in Gaza, the need to protect innocent lives, and the importance of justice. He said:

“Statehood must mean peace. Recognition must mean a real chance towards lasting peace. It must be real peace for all sides.”

This is a message the world needs to hear.

UN Applause and Strategic Ripples: The Aftermath of Subianto’s Speech

President Prabowo Subianto’s speech at the United Nations General Assembly sparked a wave of global attention and largely positive reactions. His bold call to recognize Israel, conditional on Palestinian statehood, was seen as a diplomatic breakthrough from the world’s largest Muslim-majority nation. Leaders from Jordan and Brazil personally congratulated him, praising the courage and balance of his message.

Western observers welcomed the speech as a sign of pragmatic leadership, while many in the Muslim world viewed it as a reaffirmation of Indonesia’s moral stance on justice and peace. Subianto’s interfaith closing—“Wassalamu’alaikum, Shalom, Om Shanti, Namo Budaya”—was widely celebrated for promoting unity across religions.

The speech also resonated with countries that recently recognized Palestine, including France, Australia, and the United Kingdom. By aligning Indonesia with this momentum, Subianto positioned his nation as a bridge-builder in global diplomacy.

However, some analysts cautioned that the condition-Israel must first recognize Palestine, remains a major hurdle. Despite this, Indonesia’s offer to send 20,000 peacekeepers to Gaza was hailed as a concrete step toward peace.

Overall, the world reacted with admiration, curiosity, and cautious optimism, recognizing Indonesia’s emerging role as a moral and strategic voice in the Middle East peace process.

Final Thoughts: A Brave Step Toward Peace

Indonesia’s message at the UN was clear: peace is possible, but only if we respect both sides. President Prabowo’s words were brave, balanced, and full of hope.

By offering to recognize Israel and support its security, if Palestine is also recognized, Indonesia is showing that peace is not just a dream. It is a goal we can reach, together.

This moment could be the start of a new chapter in global diplomacy. It could lead to real change in the Middle East. And it could remind us all that peace begins with respect.

Let’s hope the world listens.