Chanting “Free Palestine,” Prabowo: They Are Massacred, Bombed, Continuously Attacked!

PONOROGO, KOMPAS.com – Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto shouted “Free Palestine” three times while attending the 100th anniversary celebration of Pondok Modern Darussalam Gontor (PMDG) in Ponorogo Regency, East Java.

The call was made after Prabowo greeted several ambassadors from friendly nations present at the event, including the Palestinian Ambassador to Indonesia.

In his speech, Prabowo said he was reminded of the situation faced by the Palestinian people.

“I apologize. Just now, I remembered our brothers and sisters in Palestine,” he said during his remarks at Pondok Gontor on Saturday (9/19/2026).

Prabowo then referred to the conditions experienced by the Palestinians before shifting the focus to the importance of Indonesia building national strength.

“They are slaughtered. They are bombed, they are continuously attacked, and it seems we are powerless to help them,” Prabowo said.

After this statement, Prabowo then shouted “Free Palestine” three times.

The call was met with applause and cheers from the audience.

“Free Palestine! Free Palestine! Free Palestine!” Prabowo exclaimed.

He went on to say that the suffering of people around the world should motivate Indonesia to build a strong nation.

“I believe this is what drives all of us, especially the kiai, the ulama, and the educators at institutions like Gontor,” Prabowo said.

According to Prabowo, Indonesia must strengthen itself so it can assist oppressed peoples or nations.

“We must be strong, because if we are strong, we can help our brothers and sisters who are oppressed and persecuted by other nations,” he said.

He then urged the younger generation to study earnestly and build a strong Indonesia.

“I believe this must encourage and ignite a will—the will to study seriously, the will to build a strong Indonesian nation,” Prabowo concluded.