Dino Patti Djalal: Board of Peace is the Only Option, Indonesia is Careful and Can Exit

JAKARTA - President Prabowo Subianto explained Indonesia's foreign policy direction regarding the Board of Peace and efforts to resolve the Palestinian conflict in a meeting at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, Wednesday, February 4, 2026. The meeting was attended by diplomatic figures, academics, practitioners, as well as leaders and members of Commission I of the Indonesian House of Representatives.

Former Deputy Foreign Minister Dino Patti Djalal said Prabowo took a realistic approach because, amid the complexity of the conflict, the Board of Peace was referred to as "the only option on the table".

"My impression is that President Prabowo has a realistic approach to this. What does realistic mean? Now this is the only option on the table is about the Board of Peace, there is no other option," said Dino.

Dino emphasized that the scheme was not an instant solution. He called it an "experiment", not a "potent medicine" to solve all problems. "But the point is this is an experiment and not a potent medicine... And I see him being realistic about this," he said.

Dino also highlighted Prabowo's emphasis on Indonesia to enter with caution, maintain cohesiveness with Islamic countries, and stick to principles and national interests. According to Dino, this attitude is in line with the position of the Foreign Policy Community of Indonesia (FPCI), namely that Indonesia still holds the option to withdraw if the process is contrary to Indonesia's principles and interests. "We enter with caution and continue to hold on to the option to be able to withdraw if this is contrary to our principles and our interests," he said.

Meanwhile, former Foreign Minister Hassan Wirajuda stated that Indonesia joined after going through two rounds of consultations among Muslim-majority countries. "So we participate ... after going through two rounds of consultations," said Hassan.

Hassan said that the eight countries could play a role as a counterweight in decision-making in the Board of Peace. He also emphasized that the peace process does not always have to be within the framework of the UN as long as it produces. Indonesia, said Hassan, remains sovereign in determining whether to continue or stop involvement, depending on whether the process goes according to the intention to help the Palestinian people.