TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - A video claiming Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto said he is ready to go to war against Israel circulated on Instagram [archive], Facebook, and TikTok in the second week of April 2026. The Kompas-labeled clip shows an Indonesian delegation condemning the killing of three peacekeepers from the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) in Lebanon.
The video is accompanied by text: “Shocking. Prabowo declares war against Israel! The UN suddenly in uproar as Indonesia joins Iran’s side” (In Indonesia: “Geger. Prabowo deklarasikan perang lawan Israel! PBB Mendadak riuh Indonesia gabung kubu Iran”).
However, is it true that the video shows an official statement that Indonesia is ready to go to war against Israel in defense of Iran?
FACT-CHECK
Tempo verified the content through reverse image searches and by checking credible sources. The video actually shows Indonesia’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Umar Hadi, speaking at a UN Security Council meeting on the Middle East situation. However, he never stated that Indonesia would go to war against Israel or join Iran’s side following the deaths of three soldiers in Lebanon.
UN Security Council Emergency Meeting
The video of Umar Hadi was aired by Kompas TV on April 3, 2026. The UN website also published his statement at an emergency UN Security Council session on Tuesday, March 31, 2026.
In his speech, Umar condemned the attack on UNIFIL forces that killed three Indonesian soldiers: Captain Inf Zulmi Aditya Iskandar, Sergeant Muhammad Nur Ikhwan, and Private Farizal Rhomadhon. Eight others were injured.
Umar urged the UN to conduct a full investigation and bring the perpetrators to justice. He said the Israeli military attack violated international law.
The clip of a UN armored vehicle at the 47-second mark was taken from a Kompas.com X account post on March 30, 2026, which featured a statement from Indonesia’s Foreign Ministry on Israel’s attack in southern Lebanon.
Meanwhile, the footage of Prabowo speaking at a podium at the State Palace at the 1:27 mark is unrelated to the claim. According to Prabowo Subianto’s YouTube channel, it is actually from his announcement urging ride-hailing companies to provide Eid bonuses (BHR) for drivers and couriers.
Previously, ride-hailing drivers did not receive holiday allowances because their status was considered partners, not employees. Prabowo proposed that they receive bonuses based on individual performance.
Indonesia’s Official Stance After the Death of Three Soldiers in Lebanon
According to Tempo, Prabowo strongly condemned the attack that killed the three Indonesian soldiers, calling it an act that undermines global peace.
“The Indonesian people mourn the loss of three TNI soldiers who died while serving in the noble task of UN peacekeeping in Lebanon,” read a statement on Prabowo’s Instagram account on Saturday, April 4, 2026.
However, neither Prabowo nor Umar Hadi stated that Israel was the perpetrator of the attack on UNIFIL forces. The Indonesian government also never said it would join Iran in a war against Israel.
CONCLUSION
Tempo’s verification concludes that the video’s narrative claiming Prabowo Subianto is ready to go to war against Israel is misleading.
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