As tensions in Gaza ease, Trump urges Indonesia’s Prabowo to join his renewed Middle East peace drive
With a fragile ceasefire holding in Gaza, U.S. President Donald Trump has turned his focus to Indonesia—urging the world’s largest Muslim-majority nation to take a historic step toward normalizing relations with Israel.
Trump’s New Diplomatic Priority
Speaking at the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit in Malaysia, President Donald Trump publicly thanked Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto for his “incredible support” in ceasefire efforts, calling him “my friend.” Trump hailed the progress as “a new day for the Middle East” and signaled his intent to expand his earlier Abraham Accords, which established diplomatic and commercial relations between Israel and the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Morocco.
White House officials have described Indonesia as a potential cornerstone in Trump’s push to build a broader peace network across Muslim-majority nations—provided the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas remains stable.
Indonesia’s Balancing Act
Indonesia, which has long supported Palestinian statehood, remains cautious. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Yvonne Mewengkang reiterated that “any vision related to Israel must begin with the recognition of Palestinian independence and sovereignty.” This stance underscores Jakarta’s historical position dating back to the Sukarno era, when Indonesia framed itself as a champion of anti-colonialism and Palestinian freedom.
President Prabowo has nonetheless shown pragmatic flexibility, recognizing the need to “guarantee the safety and security of Israel” while advocating for a two-state solution. His pledge of 20,000 Indonesian troops for a potential United Nations peacekeeping mission in Gaza demonstrated Jakarta’s willingness to play a stabilizing role in regional diplomacy.
A Partnership of Opportunity
Behind the diplomatic courtesies, analysts note Trump’s transactional approach could give Indonesia leverage. Jakarta seeks entry into the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) to enhance market access and attract global investment—an ambition that would benefit greatly from U.S. endorsement.
Trump’s renewed engagement also aligns with Indonesia’s growing influence in the global energy transition. As the world’s top nickel producer—supplying nearly half of global demand for electric vehicle batteries—Indonesia’s strategic importance is rising. Former U.S. diplomat Daniel Shapiro suggested that “Trump’s dealmaking opens possibilities that otherwise might not exist,” noting potential cooperation in trade, security, and rare earths investment.
Challenges on the Home Front
Despite emerging goodwill between the two leaders, domestic resistance poses a challenge for Prabowo. Indonesian scholars warn that normalizing ties with Israel without visible progress on Palestinian sovereignty could erode decades of political credibility. Dina Sulaeman of Padjadjaran University cautioned that “if Indonesia suddenly joins the Abraham Accords, the good image the government has built over decades will collapse.”
This sensitivity is amplified by public sentiment in the Muslim-majority nation, where strong identification with the Palestinian cause remains deeply rooted.
A Historic Opening or Diplomatic Gamble?
Trump’s overtures come as both Washington and Jakarta explore new regional alignments. The White House believes that if the ceasefire holds, Indonesia—alongside Saudi Arabia—could play a pivotal role in reshaping Middle East diplomacy. Rabbi Marc Schneier, a longtime advocate of interfaith peace efforts, remarked that Prabowo’s statements “give hope” for an outcome where “a Palestinian state does not come at the expense of a Jewish state.”
While previous attempts under the Biden administration faltered after Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attack, Trump appears determined to revive the effort, banking on his personal rapport with Prabowo and Indonesia’s emerging geopolitical clout.
For Indonesia, Trump’s diplomatic push represents both opportunity and risk. Closer engagement with the United States could advance Indonesia’s global ambitions—from economic integration to peacekeeping influence—while risking domestic backlash over its long-held pro-Palestinian stance. For Southeast Asia and Singapore, this potential shift could redefine regional dynamics, linking economic strategy with global diplomacy in an increasingly interconnected world.
Sources: seasia.news (2025) , AP News (2025)
Keywords: Donald Trump, Prabowo Subianto, Indonesia Israel Relations, Abraham Accords, Gaza Ceasefire, Middle East Peace
