Indonesia’s Presidential Election and Palestinian Issues

The ongoing Palestine-Israel conflict has had a noticeable impact on Indonesian politics, becoming the subject of headlines in the last few months. All three presidential candidates have had to respond to the issue. Although one commentator has argued that a certain candidate has used this issue for the benefit of his campaign, all three candidates seem to be ready to tackle the issue of Palestine within their respective foreign policy platforms.

This longstanding conflict was also an issue during the 2014 and 2019 presidential elections. However, at those times, the discussion was localised. It was exclusively associated with Indonesia’s religious-political groups, who were called cebong (tadpole) or kadrun (short for kadal gurun, a desert lizard) and respectively supported Prabowo Subianto in his unsuccessful presidential runs and Anies Baswedan for his Jakarta gubernatorial campaign.

Now, the narrative of the Palestine-Israel conflict has shifted from that of a sectarian issue to a humanitarian (accusing Israel of genocide) and political (accusing Israel of colonialism; rising anti-occupation sentiments) one. Indonesia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Kemlu) has been active in international fora advocating for Palestine and calling for a ceasefire. Given that Indonesia is the world’s largest majority Muslim country, all three presidential candidates must highlight the Palestine-Israel issue and show a pro-Palestinian stance. Below, the authors examine the stances taken by each candidate on the issue:

Anies Baswedan-Muhaimin Iskandar (Team AMIN): Bold Support for Palestine

Anies Baswedan has boldly demanded that the Indonesian government not hesitate in opposing Israel in their “colonisation” of Palestinian land. In his rhetoric, he has accused the Israeli military of committing oppression, expanding illegal settlements, and political genocide. Calling Israel’s actions “apartheid”, he supports Indonesia’s (read: Kemlu’s) policy advocating Palestinian independence. For Anies, Indonesia should take on a bigger role in promoting global peace and making diplomatic efforts to help end Israel’s “colonialism” in Palestine.

When Indonesia votes tomorrow, the Palestine-Israeli conflict might not have a big impact on voters, except for the Islamic groups who are likely to support Anies Baswedan and Prabowo Subianto.

Baswedan has made the strongest commitment to the issue of Palestine. For instance, he was the only presidential candidate who joined the massive Aksi Bela Palestina (“Rally to Defend Palestine”) at the National Monument (Monas) in Jakarta, on 5 November 2023. Baswedan would have known that the rally’s supporters would be dominated by those who voted for him during his 2017 gubernatorial run and who still support him now. Baswedan likely intended to strengthen his voter base by making bold statements supporting Palestine.

Prabowo Subianto-Gibran Rakabuming Raka: Tactical and Pragmatic

Prabowo’s stance is aligned with the Indonesian government’s since he is still defence minister. At various campaign events, almost all of his statements have ended with his agreement with President Joko Widodo’s statements and actions. Prabowo has campaigned on the present government’s Palestine policies, that is, to strengthen diplomatic support for Palestinian independence and sovereignty, and calling for an end to the violence by negotiating a peaceful solution.

Of the three candidates, Prabowo has the most tactical, clear-cut plan regarding Palestine for the next five years. This includes building an Indonesian embassy in Palestine in Gaza or amidst the fragmented Palestinian communities in the West Bank. He has provided funds (of Rp5 billion, about US$320,800) to the Palestinian Ambassador in Jakarta, offered scholarships to Palestinian cadets to study at Indonesia’s Defence University (using his authority as defence minister), and made arrangements for an Army hospital ship to sail to Gaza.

Prabowo’s absence from the November 2023 rally to support Palestine, however, leaves the question open as to whether he is seeking a comfortable, safe position. Although Prabowo used to draw support from conservative Islamic groups and represent their interests, especially during his 2019 campaign for the presidency, he has to take a moderate and pragmatic stance now to provide a big tent for his supporters. This is partly because the parties in his coalition come from across the political spectrum. For one, they include the Indonesian Solidarity Party (PSI), which has long criticised Indonesia’s Council of Ulama (MUI) and some of its activities.

Ganjar Pranowo-Mahfud MD: Minimally Involved But Not Less Committed

Ganjar Pranowo has used similar language as the other two candidates, calling for “decolonisation”, “liberation” and Palestinian independence. Months before he was officially nominated as his party’s candidate for the presidency, Ganjar as then Central Java governor had rejected the Israeli youth national football team playing in stadiums in his province, together with Bali’s governor. Ganjar later declared that he had no regrets about Indonesia being dropped as host of the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) Under-20 World Cup because of this rejection.

For Ganjar, Indonesia should be bolder in making foreign policy, especially in responding to the Palestine-Israeli conflict.  

Ganjar’s non-participation in any pro-Palestinian rallies or demonstrations, however, is predictable. Right-wing Islamic groups do not form part of his support base. Ideologically, Ganjar’s voters are not strongly attached to the Middle East and Palestinian issues. In fact, Ganjar would be cautious of attending events organised or dominated by certain groups that are ideologically different from his party, the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P). These would include MUI and the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS).  

When Indonesia votes tomorrow, the Palestine-Israeli conflict might not have a big impact on voters, except for the Islamic groups who are likely to support Anies Baswedan and Prabowo Subianto. Nevertheless, all three candidates have needed to show their commitment to and humanitarian solidarity with Palestinians because the next president of Indonesia cannot afford to ignore the Palestine issue.

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