Indonesia's President Prabowo Subianto attends the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi.
Indonesian president Prabowo chants “Free Palestine” at school anniversary
Note: AI technology was used to generate this article’s audio.
Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto chanted “Free Palestine” several times during a speech on Saturday at the centennial celebration of the Darussalam Gontor Islamic Boarding School in Ponorogo, East Java, reaffirming Indonesia’s longstanding solidarity with the Palestinian people.
While welcoming foreign ambassadors attending the event, Prabowo specifically recognized Palestinian Ambassador to Indonesia Abdulfattah A.K. Al-Sattari.
The mention drew roaring applause and cheers from the thousands of students, alumni, and guests present.
🚨 INDONESIAN PRESIDENT CHANTS “FREE PALESTINE” AFTER PREVIOUSLY BACKING ISRAEL’S SECURITY
— FactStreamHQ (@FactStreamoffi) September 19, 2026
President Prabowo Subianto chanted “Free Palestine” during a speech in East Java, saying “the continuing attacks against Palestinians should encourage Indonesia to build its national…
Prabowo then raised his fist and chanted “Free Palestine” three times, with the crowd echoing the call in unison.
Moved by the display, Ambassador Al-Sattari approached the stage carrying a traditional Palestinian keffiyeh featuring flag accents.
He placed the scarf around the president’s neck, and the two men embraced before the audience.
Prabowo, visibly emotional, wiped his eyes and bowed his head while wearing the keffiyeh for the rest of the event.
Continuing his address, Prabowo explained the sudden outburst.
“I apologize. I was reminded of our brothers and sisters in Palestine,” he said.
“They are being massacred, bombed and attacked continuously, and we seem to be powerless to help them.”
He later chanted “Free Palestine” twice more, again drawing a strong response from the crowd.
Prabowo stressed that the ongoing suffering of Palestinians should spur Indonesia to build greater national strength.
“If we are strong, we can help our brothers and sisters who are oppressed by another regime,” he said.
Linking the issue to Indonesia’s own history, the president recalled the country’s experience under colonial rule.
“We must be determined never to be colonized again by anyone. We must be strong,” he declared, adding that a nation’s strength depends on self-reliance and effective use of its resources.
