August 27, 2025 | 04:54 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Chair of the Nahdlatul Ulama Central Board (PBNU), Yahya Cholil Staquf, supports the idea of President Prabowo Subianto to evacuate residents of Gaza, Palestine, to Indonesia. According to him, the idea is a progressive step in resolving the conflict between the two countries.
Yahya believes that Prabowo's idea could be the starting point for active negotiations, both for the countries supporting Israel and Palestine. He stated that the world is currently running out of ideas for a solution for both countries. "So, to initiate something, it's a very smart move by President Prabowo," said Yahya to Tempo at his home in Central Jakarta on Tuesday night, August 26, 2025.
To resolve the conflict, Yahya explained, there needs to be a political interest so that various offers with various consequences will emerge. However, in the context of the conflict between Israel and Palestine, according to Yahya, no country feels interested in that politics. "Issues like this make discussions about conflict resolution not taken seriously," he said.
Yahya emphasized that the issue of evacuating Gaza residents is a good idea to start a discussion. Whether they like it or not, the regional countries will have to meet to discuss how to relocate the Gaza residents and consider the pros and cons of relocation.
On the other hand, Israel will also be forced to compromise by offering certain interests to be given to Palestine. This is where, Yahya said, Indonesia and international countries can play a role in ensuring points that will be agreed upon fairly for both countries. "So, we can start moving with substantive solutions," he said.
President Prabowo, on several occasions, expressed his desire to evacuate Gaza residents to Indonesia. One of them was when the Chair of the Gerindra Party visited the United Arab Emirates, Turkey, Egypt, Qatar, and Jordan.
At that time, Prabowo stated that the Indonesian government would evacuate a thousand Gaza residents if it received approval from the parties actively helping the Palestinian people. He said the evacuation would only be temporary until the Gaza residents are declared recovered.
"They will be here only temporarily until they recover, and when they are well again and the conditions in Gaza allow, they must return to their original area. I think that's the attitude of the Indonesian government," said Prabowo during a press conference at Halim Perdanakusuma Air Base, Jakarta, before departing to Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, early Wednesday, April 9, 2025.
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