In a bold move to address the escalating crisis in Gaza, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto has embarked on a high-stakes diplomatic tour across the Middle East, seeking to position Indonesia as a key mediator in the conflict. Departing from Jakarta on April 11, 2025, Prabowo’s itinerary includes stops in the United Arab Emirates, Turkey, Egypt, Qatar, and Jordan, where he aims to consult with regional leaders on resolving the ongoing violence in the Palestinian enclave and discuss broader geopolitical and economic concerns. This initiative comes amid global outrage over controversial proposals from US President Donald Trump regarding Gaza’s future and heightened economic anxieties following Washington’s recent tariff policies.
Indonesia’s Commitment to Peace in Gaza
Prabowo’s tour, which began with a meeting with UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Abu Dhabi, underscores Indonesia’s determination to play a more active role in Middle Eastern affairs. As a nonaligned nation with one of the world’s largest Muslim populations, Indonesia holds a unique position to influence discussions on the Gaza crisis. “I’m doing what I’m doing because of mounting requests for Indonesia to be more active in supporting and finding ways to resolve the conflict in Gaza and the Middle East in general” Prabowo stated before his departure, emphasizing Jakarta’s readiness to engage with all parties involved. 
Central to Indonesia’s efforts is a humanitarian plan to temporarily shelter up to 1,000 injured Palestinians and orphaned children in the country for medical treatment and recovery. Prabowo has instructed the Foreign Ministry to coordinate with Palestinian authorities on the logistics of this evacuation. “We’re ready to evacuate those injured or traumatized, and any other person wanting to be evacuated to Indonesia” he affirmed, while clarifying that the arrangement would be temporary. “Once they’ve recovered, and the situation in Gaza has been resolved, they must return to where they came from” he added, signaling that this initiative is not an endorsement of permanent relocation schemes.
The Foreign Ministry has remained tight-lipped about operational details, such as funding and accommodation for the evacuees. This lack of transparency has raised questions about the feasibility of the plan, though it reflects Indonesia’s broader commitment to humanitarian aid, including the recent deployment of a medical team to Gaza.
Navigating Controversial Relocation Proposals
Indonesia’s diplomatic push occurs against the backdrop of international condemnation of US President Donald Trump’s statements on Gaza. In February 2025, Trump proposed taking ownership of the enclave and relocating its roughly 2 million residents, describing the plan as creating “the Riviera of the Middle East.” The idea, reiterated during a recent meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, has been widely criticized as a violation of Palestinian sovereignty. Trump suggested that moving Palestinians to “other countries” would establish “a freedom zone where people aren’t going to be killed every day” though he did not specify which nations might be involved.
Reports in March from Israeli media outlets claimed that Indonesia was among the countries slated to receive Palestinians as part of a “voluntary migration” program. The Indonesian Foreign Ministry swiftly denied these assertions, with spokesperson Rolliansyah “Roy” Soemirat stating, “There were never any discussions, let alone agreements, between Indonesia and other countries on the matter.” This firm rebuttal aligns with Jakarta’s rejection of Trump’s broader Gaza takeover plan, as well as its support for alternative proposals put forward by Muslim nations to address the crisis.
Prabowo’s discussions in Abu Dhabi with UAE leaders included a focus on these geopolitical developments. “I consulted on the latest geopolitical developments, as we’re seeking to gather insight and suggestions from the region’s leaders” he noted after the meeting. While no concrete resolutions were announced, the talks signal Indonesia’s intent to align with regional powers in advocating for a solution that prioritizes Palestinian rights and stability in Gaza.
Economic Dimensions of the Diplomatic Tour
Beyond the Gaza crisis, Prabowo’s Middle East tour also addresses pressing geoeconomic challenges, particularly in light of Trump’s recent announcement of “reciprocal tariffs” that could severely impact global economies. Indonesia faces a proposed 32 percent tariff rate from Washington, a policy that has sparked worldwide concern. Earlier this week, Jakarta declared it would not retaliate with counter-tariffs but instead pursue negotiations with international partners and the US to mitigate the economic fallout.
In Abu Dhabi, Prabowo and UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed oversaw the signing of multiple agreements to bolster bilateral cooperation. These included four government-to-government deals on food security, climate issues, maritime affairs, security, counterterrorism, and religious affairs, as well as four business-to-business agreements covering livestock production, power plants, and solar energy. These pacts reflect Indonesia’s strategy to diversify its economic partnerships amid uncertainties in global trade dynamics.
The economic discussions are set to continue as Prabowo heads to Turkey, where he will meet President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and attend the Antalya Diplomacy Forum. These engagements are expected to further strengthen Indonesia’s economic ties with Middle Eastern nations while addressing shared concerns about the broader implications of US trade policies.
Public Sentiment and Regional Implications
Back in Indonesia, public sentiment on the Gaza crisis remains deeply emotional, as evidenced by a demonstration on March 21, 2025, in front of the US Embassy in Jakarta. Hundreds of protesters, including a Muslim woman prominently waving a Palestinian flag, gathered to denounce Israeli military actions in Gaza, which many view as a betrayal of ceasefire agreements. The protest, captured in images by international media, highlights the strong solidarity among Indonesians for the Palestinian cause—a sentiment that likely informs Prabowo’s proactive stance on the issue.
Indonesia’s role as a potential mediator in the Gaza conflict could have far-reaching implications for its standing in the international community. While the country has historically maintained a nonaligned foreign policy, its large Muslim population and strategic position in Southeast Asia make it a compelling voice in discussions on Middle Eastern affairs. However, navigating this role will require careful diplomacy to avoid being drawn into polarizing geopolitical alignments, particularly given the contentious nature of Trump’s proposals and the complex dynamics between regional powers like the UAE, Turkey, and Egypt.
Challenges Ahead for Indonesia’s Initiatives
Despite the optimism surrounding Prabowo’s tour, significant challenges loom. The logistical and financial hurdles of evacuating and temporarily housing Palestinians in Indonesia remain unresolved, with no clear timeline or funding mechanism disclosed by the Foreign Ministry. Additionally, while Indonesia has firmly rejected notions of permanent relocation, it must contend with international perceptions and potential misinterpretations of its humanitarian efforts as implicit support for broader migration schemes.
On the economic front, the looming impact of US tariffs adds another layer of complexity to Indonesia’s diplomatic agenda. Balancing negotiations with Washington while deepening ties with Middle Eastern partners will test Jakarta’s ability to safeguard its economic interests without alienating key allies. The agreements signed in Abu Dhabi are a promising start, but their long-term benefits remain to be seen.
As Prabowo continues his journey through the Middle East, the eyes of both Indonesians and the international community are on Jakarta’s next moves. Will Indonesia emerge as a credible mediator in the Gaza crisis, or will the weight of geopolitical and economic pressures temper its ambitions? For now, the nation’s commitment to peace and humanitarian aid stands as a testament to its desire to contribute meaningfully to one of the world’s most intractable conflicts, even as questions linger about the path ahead.
