SWEIMEH, Jordan: US Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressed gratitude to Indonesia’s incoming president, Prabowo Subianto, for his offer of assistance to Gaza during their meeting at an aid conference in Jordan on Tuesday.
The world’s largest Muslim-majority nation’s president-elect promised to increase medical help right away and dispatch peacekeeping forces in the event that a UN-backed ceasefire is formed.
Blinken congratulated Prabowo, currently Indonesia’s defence minister, on his election and discussed the benefits of the US-led ceasefire initiative for both Israelis and Palestinians, according to State Department spokesman Matthew Miller. Blinken specifically thanked Prabowo for Indonesia’s support for the ceasefire proposal and the effort to secure the release of all hostages.
At the conference held on the Dead Sea, Prabowo announced Indonesia’s readiness to dispatch medical teams, a field hospital, and a hospital ship to the war-torn Gaza. He also stated Indonesia’s plan to evacuate 1,000 people for medical treatment in Southeast Asia, including children who have lost their parents or experienced trauma, and to help them return to Gaza post-war.
Prabowo emphasized that while Indonesia is committed to these efforts, the ultimate solution lies in achieving a two-state resolution where Palestine and Israel coexist in peace and security. He asserted, “Only with a two-state solution with Palestine and Israel living side by side in security and safety can we resolve this problem.”
The United States, a long-time ally of Indonesia, has advocated for a more prominent global role for the country, recognized for its religious moderation. Despite Indonesia having no official relations with Israel, limited contacts such as trade exist, and Israeli officials have expressed cautious optimism about eventual normalization.
The US previously denied Prabowo a visa over alleged involvement in human rights abuses during Suharto’s dictatorship, but US President Joe Biden has indicated a shift in stance by personally congratulating him.
