Indonesia Plans Temporary Shelter for 1,000 Palestinians, Tapping Diplomatic Ties Across Region
Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto has kicked off a five-country tour across the Middle East with one urgent mission on his agenda: securing regional support to evacuate injured and displaced Palestinians from war-torn Gaza to Indonesia.
Speaking at Jakarta’s Halim Perdanakusuma Air Force Base before his departure, Prabowo made it clear—this isn’t just diplomacy. This is a humanitarian call to action.
From Jakarta to Gaza: A Global Humanitarian Gesture
Prabowo’s tour will include stops in the United Arab Emirates, Turkey, Egypt, Qatar, and Jordan. These are not random selections. All five nations play influential roles—either diplomatically or logistically—in the Palestinian crisis.
As the country with the largest Muslim population on Earth, and a history of non-aligned diplomacy, Indonesia is uniquely positioned. Prabowo emphasized that the offer was not to permanently resettle Palestinians, but to give them a safe haven—temporarily—until conditions allow them to return home.
“This is not permanent,” he said. “This is to heal, to recover, to survive.”
High Stakes Diplomacy Behind Closed Doors
This mission isn’t without hurdles.
For the evacuation plan to move forward, Prabowo needs green lights from several players:
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Israel must allow the evacuees to exit Gaza safely.
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Egypt, which controls the Rafah border crossing, must cooperate.
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The Palestinian Authority must coordinate who gets priority.
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Regional countries must agree on airspace, logistics, and perhaps more.
It’s a diplomatic puzzle. And every piece has sharp edges.
That’s why Prabowo isn’t delegating this. He’s handling it personally—meeting face to face with leaders in Abu Dhabi, Ankara, Cairo, Doha, and Amman.
One Thousand People, A Thousand Traumas
This is not just about numbers. These are people who have lived through hell.
Prabowo said Indonesia is initially prepared to take in around 1,000 Palestinians. That first group would mostly include:
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Orphans and children who’ve lost parents in Israeli strikes
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Women and men suffering from trauma or serious injuries
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Civilians displaced by the destruction of their homes
It’s not about politics. It’s about pain.
And Prabowo knows that offering shelter is only one part of the story. Healing will take much longer.
“We’re not just sending planes,” he explained. “We’re opening our hearts.”
Political Optics and Public Support at Home
Back home, the Indonesian public has been vocal about Gaza. Protests, charity drives, and social media campaigns have surged over the last few months. Support for Palestine cuts across party lines, religious groups, and even age groups.
So, yes, this mission has political upside too.
Prabowo, still early in his presidency, is positioning himself as a leader who listens—and acts.
One line from his press briefing hit a chord with many Indonesians: “If we can help, we must help.”
That simple phrase is already trending on local platforms.
Why the Middle East Is Listening This Time
Indonesia has tried to support Palestine in the past, but usually from the sidelines.
Regional powers are increasingly overwhelmed—by refugees, by global scrutiny, and by pressure from their own citizens. A third-party offer like this could be exactly the kind of middle-ground gesture that saves lives without igniting more political flames.
Table: Indonesia’s Middle East Tour – Strategic Purpose by Country
| Country | Strategic Value |
|---|---|
| UAE | Humanitarian aid coordination and funding partner |
| Turkey | Diplomatic channel to Hamas and regional mediators |
| Egypt | Control of Gaza border and refugee access |
| Qatar | Longtime mediator and key donor to Gaza |
| Jordan | Long history of handling Palestinian refugee flows |
Each visit, each handshake, might unlock a new door.
Next Steps: Diplomats on the Ground
While Prabowo handles the high-level meetings, Indonesia’s Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi and a special envoy team will be sent directly to meet with Palestinian officials.
Nothing’s confirmed yet. No passenger manifests. No scheduled flights.
And if all goes according to plan, within weeks, the first batch of Palestinians could be arriving in Indonesia—not as refugees, but as guests in urgent need of shelter.
