From "Peace" in Hebrew to "Free Palestine": The Shift in the Indonesian President's Messages

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto repeatedly chanted "Free Palestine" during a speech in his country, a year after delivering a "peace" speech in Hebrew at the UN. He emphasized that Indonesia must strengthen itself to help the Palestinians. The Palestinian ambassador presented him with a keffiyeh, and Subianto wiped his eyes with the scarf. The crowd responded with a similar chant.

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto today (Saturday) repeatedly chanted "Free Palestine" during a speech at an event in his country. A year earlier, he moved many Israelis when he delivered a "peace" speech in Hebrew at the UN General Assembly in New York. According to Indonesia's official news agency "Antara News," Subianto emphasized that Indonesia must become a strong nation in order to help oppressed people around the world, including the Palestinians. "The ongoing attacks against the Palestinians should encourage Indonesia to build its national strength," he said. During the event, the Palestinian ambassador to Indonesia, Abd al-Fattah A.K. al-Satari, presented him with a Palestinian keffiyeh. After returning to the stage, Prabowo was seen wiping his eyes with the traditional Palestinian scarf. The crowd responded with the same chant. About a year ago, the Indonesian president concluded his UN speech with the Hebrew blessing "Peace," expressed support for the two-state solution, and said that on the day Israel recognizes a Palestinian state, "Indonesia will immediately recognize the State of Israel." He then emphasized Israel's right to live in peace. Indonesia, the world's largest Muslim country, which was mentioned as a candidate to join the Abraham Accords, was supposed to be the spearhead of the international stabilization force in Gaza but backed out at the last moment.