The former general added that Indonesia would “do whatever we can to provide humanitarian assistance” and contribute to peacekeeping efforts.
“Indonesia also is very willing to evacuate and treat wounded Palestinian civilians and those needing hospital care in Indonesian hospitals.”
Indonesia is home to the world’s largest Muslim population and has consistently expressed support for Palestine’s independence within the framework of a two-state solution.
Prabowo, 72, said the resolution should consider both Israel’s right to exist and the rights of the Palestinians “to have their own homeland, their own state, living in peace”.
“We are also cognisant of the fact that the resolution of this crisis must consist of mutual respect for the rights and the concerns of all parties. There cannot be a single narrative that is legitimate as it’s often been repeated,” he said.
He reiterated Jakarta’s commitment to the “support of comprehensive and permanent ceasefire” in the Middle East, which would be a move towards a “real peace between Israel and Palestine, and thus, real peace in the region”.
The resolution of this crisis must consist of mutual respect for the rights and the concerns of all parties.
Prabowo won Indonesia’s February general election and is set to take over the reins in October.
“We must maintain the policy of non-alignment, of maintaining the best relations with all nations of the world,” he said.
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Indonesia’s new leader Prabowo Subianto meets Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing
Indonesia’s new leader Prabowo Subianto meets Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing
Indonesia is not a claimant in the South China Sea territorial dispute, but Beijing and Jakarta have their own dispute over its exclusive economic zone in the North Natuna Islands.
This has led to skirmishes in the disputed waters a number of times in recent years, such as in December 2022 when China sent Coast Guard 5901, the world’s largest coastguard vessel, to patrol the North Natuna Sea.
During a meeting with Chinese Defence Minister Dong Jun in April, Prabowo said Indonesia was looking to deepen defence cooperation with Beijing and promote the development of the relations between the armed forces of both sides.
Beijing has built a strong relationship with Jakarta under Prabowo’s predecessor Widodo.
Last year, China was Indonesia’s largest trading partner and second-largest foreign investor.
During his speech, Prabowo also said Jakarta’s non-alignment policy was derived from the so-called “Asian way” of dealing with conflicts.
“Real security comes through very good relations between our immediate neighbours. This is part of our Asian culture. We must be close, friendly with our immediate neighbours,” he said, noting that Indonesia has had conflicts with Singapore and Malaysia in the past.
“But now, we are the best of friends. We resolved our differences without interference from any external power,” he said.
During an interview with news channel Al Jazeera last month, Prabowo had struck a similar tone and said states in the region had solved issues without foreign interference and through dialogue, in response to a question about what the “Asian Way” meant to him.