On the morning of 10 February 2026, while Gaza was still gathering the remains of its martyrs under a fragile ceasefire engineered by US President Donald Trump, Palestinians awoke to news that at first glance appeared to signal “Islamic support”, but in substance carried the seeds of what many view as a new administrative catastrophe.
Indonesia, the largest Muslim-majority nation, long known for its rhetorical support of liberation movements, officially announced its readiness to deploy 8,000 troops to the Gaza Strip as part of what is described as a “peacekeeping force”. Palestinians, however, have characterised the proposal as a Trojan horse intended to entrench the security of the occupation rather than protect its victims.
Details emerging regarding the force, its conditions, and its operational scope suggest that its personnel would not serve as human shields protecting Gaza’s children from bombardment. Instead, critics argue, they would function as regulators inside what many describe as a vast enclosure shaped by Tel Aviv and Washington to isolate the people of Gaza.
Early Signals and Political Messaging
Indonesia was among the most eager states to announce both the deployment of troops and the reception of hundreds of wounded Palestinians. The Israeli Broadcasting Authority reported that the first troops within the international force would arrive from Jakarta.
The momentum extended beyond announcements. In September 2025, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto addressed the United Nations General Assembly in a speech described by segments of the Israeli press as “historic”. He did not limit himself to proposing troop deployment. He declared: “We must guarantee Israel’s security, and only then can we obtain true peace without hatred.”
He concluded his remarks with the word “Shalom”, a gesture widely interpreted as directed towards Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
During a summit meeting in New York, Trump praised the Indonesian president, describing his speech as “excellent”, particularly in reference to the issue of Israel’s security.
Reports in Israeli media outlets, including Yedioth Ahronoth and The Times of Israel, later revealed arrangements for a planned historic visit by Prabowo to Tel Aviv in October 2025. Netanyahu reportedly requested that his corruption trial hearing be postponed, citing an urgent and highly significant political visit.
Sources indicated that Prabowo had given preliminary approval for meetings that would have included security discussions and understandings concerning Indonesia’s role in the so called “day after” the war in Gaza. The leak of the visit to Israeli media reportedly triggered concern within Jakarta’s Merdeka Palace, amid fears of domestic backlash. Indonesia’s foreign ministry subsequently denied the visit in full.
What Motivates Indonesia?
1. Pursuit of OECD Membership
Indonesia is seeking membership in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, widely regarded as a club of wealthy nations that opens pathways to investment and higher credit ratings.
Admission requires unanimous approval by all existing members. Israel, as a member, holds veto power.
According to The Times of Israel, OECD accession procedures had already begun, but Tel Aviv objected due to the absence of diplomatic relations between the two sides. Israeli Foreign Minister and former Defence Minister Israel Katz reportedly refused to withdraw the objection unless normalisation preceded it.
Reports indicated discussions between Israeli and Indonesian foreign ministries and OECD Secretary General Mathias Cormann that culminated in Indonesia committing to normalise relations as a condition for lifting the veto. Analysis from Atlantic Council suggested that the Trump administration offered incentives to support the track, including backing Indonesia’s accession and providing trade and investment exceptions.
2. Commercial Interests and Deals With Washington
In February 2026, Reuters reported that Prabowo hoped to finalise a trade agreement with Trump during a visit to Washington for the inaugural meeting of a Gaza peace council.
Permanent membership in that council reportedly carries a cost of one billion dollars, placing Indonesia’s participation within a broader matrix of political and economic interests.
For Jakarta, the path offers an opportunity to elevate its regional standing and expand military and technological cooperation with the United States and Israel, particularly in cyber security and biotechnology.
3. International Legitimacy and Strategic Positioning
The Times of Israel suggested that the Indonesian government also seeks to bolster its global standing as a mediator between the Muslim world and the West.
Participation in a Gaza stabilisation force enables Jakarta to project itself as a protector of Palestinians while simultaneously opening channels with Israel and Washington. The language of guaranteeing Israel’s security and building peace formed a central pillar of Prabowo’s United Nations speech.
Giora Eliraz of the Truman Institute at the Hebrew University stated that Indonesia possesses international ambitions and views normalisation as part of its self perception as an active state across global arenas, including the Middle East. However, he noted to Channel 12 that Indonesia’s role remains limited in the absence of formal relations with both Israel and Palestine.
Why Is Israel Interested in Indonesia?
1. The Largest Muslim Majority Nation
Indonesia represents a market of more than 280 million people and is the largest Muslim majority country in the world. It is also a member of the G20.
Israeli outlets have noted expectations that Indonesia could rank among the world’s five largest economies within two decades. For Tel Aviv, establishing relations with Jakarta would provide Islamic world recognition that helps ease political isolation and open economic opportunities in technology, agriculture, and tourism.
Israeli officials reportedly believe success with Indonesia could pave the way for Malaysia, Brunei, and other Muslim majority states.
2. Normalisation Amid International Pressure
Following the Israeli assault on Gaza and accompanying accusations of war crimes, Israel faces mounting international pressure. A normalisation agreement with Indonesia would provide political leverage and allow Tel Aviv to present an image of cooperation with a major Muslim majority state.
Such a breakthrough could also assist in reviving discussions with Saudi Arabia, which slowed after the massacres in Gaza.
From one perspective, Indonesia’s offer to host wounded Palestinians and deploy troops may be framed as a humanitarian step aimed at assisting victims of aggression. However, closer examination suggests it forms part of a broader arrangement: efforts by the Trump administration to market a peace plan perceived as tilted, Israel’s pursuit of diplomatic normalisation with the largest Muslim majority nation to mitigate isolation, and Jakarta’s ambition to secure international political and economic gains.
Absolutely astounding, but then the Indonesian president has no axe to grind with the kabbalists. He himself has committed war crimes during his time in the army… So he’s in the best team 🤮🤢🤮
Shame on him 👺