January 27, 2026 | 03:49 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Former Indonesian Deputy Foreign Minister Dino Patti Djalal has raised a series of concerns over Indonesia’s decision to join the Board of Peace, an initiative launched by the United States.
Dino outlined what he described as four “yellow lights” or warning signs in a video posted on his Instagram account on Monday, January 26, 2026.
Indonesia officially joined the Board of Peace during its launch at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, on January 22.
President Prabowo Subianto was among the leaders who signed the charter of the new body, which was initiated by U.S. President Donald Trump.
First Warning Sign: No Mention of Palestine or Gaza
Dino said his first concern lies in the content of the Board of Peace charter itself, which he noted does not mention Palestine or Gaza at all. This omission, he said, was puzzling given that the initiative was initially promoted as part of a 20-point plan aimed at achieving peace in Gaza.
According to Dino, the final charter signed in Davos differs significantly from what had been mandated by the United Nations. He said this raised questions about the original intent and direction of the initiative.
Second Warning Sign: Unequal Power Structure
Dino’s second concern relates to the governance structure of the Board of Peace. After reviewing the charter article by article, he argued that the body appears to function as an international organization effectively controlled by President Trump.
He noted that all decisions require approval from Trump as chairman, whose position carries no fixed term and can only be transferred to a successor of his own choosing. This structure, Dino said, creates a highly centralized and hierarchical system in which authority rests almost entirely with the U.S. president.
Third Warning Sign: Trump’s Letter to Canada
Another warning sign, Dino said, emerged from a letter sent by Trump to Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, in which the U.S. president reportedly revoked Canada’s invitation to join the Board of Peace.
Dino suggested the move may have been linked to criticism voiced by Carney at the World Economic Forum in Davos.
He said this episode indicated that participation in the Board of Peace could be determined by personal considerations rather than objective or institutional criteria, reinforcing the perception that the body operates as an exclusive club under Trump’s control.
Fourth Warning Sign: Israel’s Role and Palestine’s Absence
Dino also questioned the inclusion of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the Board of Peace, while Palestine, which he described as the primary victim of the conflict, was excluded.
He said many observers were troubled by Netanyahu’s presence, given Israel’s military campaign in Gaza since October 2023.
Dino further pointed to Israel’s strong influence in U.S. politics through lobbying networks such as the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), arguing that this gives Israel far greater leverage within the Board of Peace than countries like Indonesia.
He warned that Indonesia could risk being politically manipulated if it is not cautious, suggesting its participation could be used to legitimize Israeli positions rather than advance genuine peace efforts.
Dino’s final concern centered on speeches delivered at the Board of Peace launch by senior U.S. officials, including White House adviser Jared Kushner, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and special envoy Steve Witkoff.
He said their remarks lacked empathy for Palestinian suffering and made no reference to the tens of thousands of casualties in Gaza since October 2023. Dino also noted that the speeches avoided using the term “freedom” in relation to Palestinians, despite its frequent use in U.S. political rhetoric.
Instead, he said, the event appeared to focus heavily on praising President Trump, reinforcing the impression that the initiative was more about U.S. leadership than addressing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Read: UN Sec-Gen Warns of 'Law of the Jungle' Replacing Global Law
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