Indonesia’s big step for peace in Gaza, will send 8,000 soldiers under Trump’s plan; Protests begin in the country

Indonesia Gaza Peacekeeping Force: Indonesia has started training its contingent of 8,000 soldiers for the proposed international peacekeeping force in Gaza. This is the first concrete commitment made by a country towards US President Donald Trump’s post-war reconstruction plan. Indonesia, which is one of the world’s top 10 contributors to United Nations (UN) peacekeeping missions, is now a member of Trump’s proposed ‘Board of Peace’ Preparing to be a part of.

Domestic opposition and suspicion

There is a lot of resentment and doubt in Indonesia regarding this decision of President Prabowo Subianto. Critics believe Jakarta is bowing to Trump’s agenda only to negotiate a trade deal with the US.

According to Mohammad Zulfikar Rakhmat, a Jakarta-based expert, the public fears that their soldiers may unknowingly be used to help Israeli forces or fight against the wrong sides. Protesters outside the US Embassy in Jakarta on Friday chanted “Free Gaza” Protested this participation with slogans of.

huge expenses

Economic questions are also being raised on this participation of Indonesia. ‘Board of Peace‘ To get a permanent place in Indonesia, Indonesia may have to pay about 1 billion dollars (about Rs 8400 crore). Moreover, since this mission will work outside the scope of the United Nations, the situation regarding its budget and use of troops is not yet clear. According to the current plan, this International Security Force (ISF) will assist Palestinian police forces in Gaza and help in border security.

An ‘honest arbitrator’ role of

Despite all the opposition, international analysts believe that Indonesia will be an ‘honest mediator’ for this mission. Can be proved. Being the world’s most populous Muslim country, it has a religious identity but at the same time it does not pose any strategic threat to Israel. Although Indonesia does not have formal diplomatic relations with Israel, it has never adopted a directly confrontational stance like Türkiye or Iran.

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Soldier training begins

Indonesian army chief General Maruli Simanjuntak confirmed that training of engineering and medical units had begun. 20,000 troops were initially promised, which has now been reduced to between 5,000 and 8,000. President Prabowo will attend the ‘Board of Peace’ to be held in Washington next week. Where other countries are also expected to announce troops.