Indonesia's President Prabowo to visit Israel on Oct. 14: Israeli media

Indonesia’s President Prabowo Subianto will reportedly visit Israel on Oct. 14, marking the first time an Indonesian president will visit the State of Israel.

Already in Egypt

The Times of Israel published a very succinct article, simply stating that “a source familiar with the details” has told them that Prabowo will arrive on Oct. 14.

Local Indonesian press appears not to have known of the visit, with outlets such as CNN Indonesia reporting the story by citing Israeli media sources.

According to Tempo, Prabowo is currently in Egypt in order to attend the Gaza-Israel Peace Summit, and is the only Southeast Asian leader in attendance.

CNA reported that the invitation to the summit had been received “unexpectedly” on Oct. 11, but that Prabowo’s presence had been “earnestly requested”.

Egypt borders both Gaza and Israel, and is on the other side of the Rafah crossing, the only land border checkpoint to Gaza not controlled by Israel.

Two-state solution

Prabowo is the leader of the world’s largest Muslim nation.

Both he and Indonesia have indicated their support for the Palestinian cause.

In Nov. 2023, during the Indonesian presidential election campaign, Prabowo changed his Instagram profile to a drawing of watermelons, a symbol of the Palestinian cause.

Indonesia has not formally recognised Israel, but on Sep. 23, Prabowo spoke in New York, U.S. during the United Nations General Assembly in support of a two-state solution.

“We must have an independent Palestine, but we must also recognise and guarantee the safety and security of Israel.” He said to the assembly.

“Only then can we have real peace: peace without hate, peace without suspicion. The only solution is this two-state solution.”

He then ended his speech with the word “Shalom”, the Hebrew word for “peace”.

Top image via Prabowo Subianto/Facebook