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UN Expert Urges Indonesia to Rethink Its Role in Trump's Gaza "Board of Peace"

Indonesia should reconsider its involvement in US President Donald Trump's Gaza peace plan because it is being shaped by Israel and the United States and lacks a Palestinian voice, the United Nations special rapporteur on human rights in the occupied Palestinian territories told Reuters in Jakarta on Thursday — a sharp warning to the world's largest Muslim-majority nation over its role in Trump's controversial "Board of Peace."

Illustration of a grand diplomatic boardroom with empty chairs and world flags

Illustration: A grand diplomatic boardroom with empty chairs and world flags. The Board of Peace was unveiled by Trump in January 2026. (AI-generated illustration)

What Happened

Francesca Albanese, the UN special rapporteur on human rights in the occupied Palestinian territories and a prominent human rights lawyer known for her vocal criticism of Israel, said in an interview in Jakarta that Indonesia has historically supported the Palestinian cause but joining the board was dangerous, Reuters reported on October 22, 2026.

"I understand (Indonesia's) good intentions. I still think that it's very dangerous, because it risks to normalise a very abnormal mechanism," Albanese said. She added that, legally, Israel could not have a role in determining the future of Palestinians.

The "Board of Peace," of which Indonesia is a key troop-contributing member, was unveiled by Trump in January to address global conflicts typically handled by the United Nations. Indonesia has also pledged troops to be deployed to Gaza as part of an international stabilisation force. Indonesia's Foreign Ministry said on Thursday that Board of Peace discussions remained on hold, reiterating its earlier position. The Board of Peace did not immediately respond to a request for comment outside US business hours, Reuters noted.

Illustration of the Jakarta skyline at dusk with the National Monument

Illustration: The Jakarta skyline at dusk with the National Monument. Indonesia has pledged troops for a Gaza stabilisation force. (AI-generated illustration)

Background

Indonesia, the world's largest Muslim-majority nation, backs a two-state solution and has repeatedly condemned Israeli violence — but agreeing to join a board that also counts Israel as a member has drawn criticism from domestic Muslim groups, according to Reuters. Rights experts have criticised the board for not including a Palestinian representative even though it is meant to supervise the temporary governance of a Palestinian territory.

Albanese has drawn the ire of a number of Western capitals: the United States has imposed sanctions on her, and others, including her native Italy, have called for her resignation. Her remarks in Jakarta add a prominent international voice to the domestic debate over whether Indonesia's troop pledge and board membership serve the Palestinian cause or legitimise a framework designed without Palestinians.


 

Why It Matters

Indonesia's participation is politically significant: as the largest Muslim-majority nation and a traditional champion of Palestinian statehood, its presence lends the Board of Peace legitimacy that few other countries could offer. If Jakarta pulls back, the board — Trump's alternative to UN-led conflict resolution — would lose one of its most important endorsers.

The episode also captures a wider tension: who gets to decide Gaza's future. With no Palestinian representative at the table and Israel as a member, critics argue the board risks entrenching the very power imbalance it claims to resolve.

Illustration of a press briefing with journalists and cameras facing an empty podium

Illustration: A press briefing in Jakarta. The UN rapporteur gave the interview in the Indonesian capital. (AI-generated illustration)

What Happens Next

Watch whether Jakarta's "on hold" position hardens into a formal review of its board membership and troop pledge, and how domestic pressure from Muslim groups evolves. Trump's team has yet to respond publicly to Albanese's remarks, and any hardening of Indonesia's stance would be a significant test of the Board of Peace's credibility as a parallel to the United Nations.

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FAQ

What is the Board of Peace?

It is a body unveiled by US President Donald Trump in January 2026 to address global conflicts typically handled by the United Nations. Indonesia is a key troop-contributing member, and Israel is also a member, according to Reuters.

Who is Francesca Albanese?

She is the UN special rapporteur on human rights in the occupied Palestinian territories, a prominent human rights lawyer known for her vocal criticism of Israel. The US has imposed sanctions on her, and her native Italy has called for her resignation.

What did she warn Indonesia about?

She said Indonesia should reconsider its involvement in Trump's Gaza plan because it is being shaped by Israel and the US, lacks a Palestinian voice, and risks normalising "a very abnormal mechanism."

What is Indonesia's position?

Indonesia's Foreign Ministry said on Thursday that Board of Peace discussions remained on hold, reiterating its earlier position. Indonesia backs a two-state solution and has pledged troops for an international stabilisation force in Gaza.

Has Trump or the board responded?

Not yet. Reuters reported the Board of Peace did not immediately respond to a request for comment outside US business hours.

Sources

  • Reuters, October 22, 2026 — "UN expert urges Indonesia to reconsider involvement in Trump's Gaza board"

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