Asia Pacific Report
Protesters have condemned Indonesia’s plan to take part in the International Stabilisaton Force for Gaza as Israel continues to violate the ceasefire on an almost daily basis.
Carrying placards declaring “Break the siege”, “Gaza is not for sale”, “So, when will the Palestinians get to decide their own future” and crosses over the Israeli flag, protesters marched through streets in Jakarta dressed in keffiyeh and Palestinian flags.
Reports from Jakarta say that the country is preparing to send about 8000 troops to Gaza as part of the so-called peacekeeping force.
- READ MORE: Indonesia to send troops to Gaza: Protesters demand president withdraw his involvement
- Troops without a seat – the Gaza ‘Board of Peace’ and Fiji
- Other Gaza reports
President Prabowo Subianto is due to join a meeting of what US President Donald Trump calls the “Board of Peace” in Washington on Thursday, reports Al Jazeera.
Indonesia’s involvement is controversial with Prabowo facing mounting criticism for the deployment plans.
Many critics are saying the plan could “sideline” the Palestinians and are accusing Subianto of “serving Israel’s goals”.
He has sought to reassure Muslim leaders that Indonesia would withdraw if Palestinian interests in self-determination are not advanced.
Indonesia peecekeeping force plan Video: Al Jazeera
Fiji is also facing controversy over reported plans that it may also be deploying troops for the ISF.
However, Fiji’s Defence Minister Pio Tikoduadua has clarified that Fiji has not yet made any commitment to participate, saying six days ago that the country has only received an invitation, reports Pacnews.
In a statement posted on social media, Tikoduadua stressed that no response had been given at this stage.
“Let me be clear: Fiji has only received an invitation to be part of the Gaza international stabilisation force. We have not yet responded,” he said.
Writing for Asia Pacific Report, former Fiji military officer Jim Sanday who commanded Fijian peacekeeping battalions in Lebanon and Sinai, was highly critical of the proposal, saying its United Nations reputation risked being damaged while being “excluded from decision-making”.
In 2025, Sanday led the National Security and Defence Review (NSDR) and co-authored the National Security Strategy that was approved by Cabinet in June 2025.
