Indonesian President pledges conditional recognition of Israel during UN summit on two-state solution.
President Prabowo Subianto declared that Indonesia is open to recognizing Israel only if the state fully acknowledges Palestine’s independence and sovereignty. His statement came during the UN High-Level Summit on Palestine and the Two-State Solution in New York.
Indonesia’s Conditional Stance
Speaking at the UN Headquarters on September 22, 2025 (local time), President Prabowo stressed that Palestine’s statehood must be guaranteed. He added that Indonesia would recognize Israel once it formally acknowledges Palestine’s sovereignty. His remarks drew applause from delegates attending the summit, which was co-initiated by France and Saudi Arabia.
The New York Declaration
Prabowo emphasized that the New York Declaration, adopted by the UN General Assembly on September 12, 2025, provided a fair framework for peace. The resolution responded to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, calling for:
- An immediate ceasefire between Israel and Hamas
- Deployment of a UN Security Council–mandated international mission for stability
- Restoration of humanitarian aid access and UNRWA’s role
- Protection of aid workers
- Reconstruction of Gaza led by the Arab League and OIC, with World Bank support
- Recognition of Palestine’s borders in line with the 1967 resolution
Condemning Violence in Gaza
Prabowo condemned the mass killings in Gaza, where tens of thousands of civilians—including women and children—have died due to Israeli military actions. He reaffirmed Indonesia’s stance against violence targeting civilians, stressing the urgency of ending the bloodshed.
A Call for Shared Responsibility
Highlighting the historical weight of the summit, Prabowo urged all UN members to shoulder responsibility. He argued that achieving peace is not only crucial for Palestinians but also for Israelis and the credibility of the United Nations itself.
Global Context of the Summit
The summit, part of the 80th UN General Assembly, featured speeches by global leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, Jordan’s King Abdullah II, and Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Prabowo spoke fifth in the order, reflecting Indonesia’s prominent role in the discussions.
Urging Immediate Peace
Prabowo concluded with an emotional appeal, urging nations to act swiftly. “We need peace now. Immediate peace. We must make it happen,” he declared, calling for collective international action to halt the ongoing crisis in Gaza.
Prabowo’s statement places Indonesia firmly in support of a two-state solution, aligning recognition of Israel with justice for Palestine. For Southeast Asia, particularly Indonesians and Singaporeans closely watching Middle East developments, this position underscores the region’s stake in global stability, humanitarian solidarity, and the credibility of international institutions.
Sources: Tirto.id (2025) , CNN Indonesia (2025)
Keywords: Prabowo Subianto, Israel Recognition, Palestine Independence, United Nations Summit, Two State Solution, Gaza Conflict
