Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto closed his address at the United Nations general assembly with a rare, multifaith farewell, invoking greetings from Islam, Hinduism, Judaism and Buddhism. He also called for "Israel’s security" for lasting peace in the Middle East.
"Wassalamu'alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh, Shalom, Om Shanti Shanti Shanti Om. Namo Budhaya. Thank you very much," he said.
In a pointed remark, he stressed the importance of ensuring Israel’s security, declaring, “We must also recognize, we must also respect, and we must also guarantee the safety and security of Israel. Only then we can have real peace.”
“We believe in the UN. We will continue to serve where peace needs guardians — not with just words, but with boots on the ground,” he added.
In a dramatic commitment, he announced Indonesia’s willingness to deploy 20,000 or more troops to help secure peace in Gaza if mandated by the UN security council and the general assembly.
“If and when the UN Security Council and this great assembly decide, Indonesia is prepared to deploy 20,000 or even more of our sons and daughters to help secure peace in Gaza,” he said.
In the nearly two years since, Israeli military operations have killed 65,382 Palestinians, the majority civilians, according to the health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza, figures deemed reliable by the United Nations.
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