UN expert urges Indonesia to reconsider Gaza plan involvement

Indonesia should reconsider its involvement in Donald Trump's Gaza peace plan because it is being shaped by Israel and the US and lacks a Palestinian voice, the United Nations special rapporteur on human rights in the occupied Palestinian territories told Reuters on Thursday. Francesca Albanese, a prominent human rights lawyer known for her vocal criticism of Israel, said in an interview in Jakarta that Indonesia has historically supported the Palestinian cause, but joining the board was dangerous. The 'Board of Peace,' of which Indonesia is a key troop-contributing member, was unveiled by Trump in January to address global conflicts typically handled by the United Nations. The world's largest Muslim-majority nation has also pledged troops to be deployed to Gaza as part of an international stabilisation force. Albanese said that, legally, Israel could not have a role in determining the future of Palestinians. Rights experts have criticized the board for not including a Palestinian representative even though it is meant to supervise the temporary governance of a Palestinian territory. Indonesia, which backs a two-state solution and has repeatedly condemned Israeli violence, has drawn criticism from domestic Muslim groups for agreeing to join the board, which also counts Israel as a member. President Prabowo Subianto has vowed to quit if it does not bring benefits to Palestinians, his office has previously said, adding that joining the board would allow Indonesia to push for cessation of violence. Albanese recommended Jakarta join the Hague Group of countries, which includes South Africa and Indonesia's neighbour Malaysia and seeks to uphold international law and processes, including in the International Criminal Court over Israel's actions. Trump's Gaza plan has stalled.