The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Extraordinary Ministerial Conference is an international high-level meeting forum to discuss and formulate peace issues related to conflicts that endanger international stability. This forum is based on the principle of OIC cooperation to maintain the solidity of Islamic countries and support international stability through conflict resolution.[1]
As one of the OIC members since 1969, Palestine has become the main priority of OIC member countries in achieving peace and Positive Peace between the two sides by always uniting to pressure the UN Security Council to provide a solution to this conflict and achieve a two-state solution.
The Palestinian conflict has not abated, with pressure and insistence on President Trump’s policy to expel Palestinians from their homeland. Indonesia raised this issue and played its role in discussing and providing solidarity for reconstruction efforts as the main agenda of discourse in this high-level meeting. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in its statement said that under the new leadership, the Palestinian issue will continue to be fought for and expressed to achieve resolution, justice and stability.[2]
Peacekeeping
Galtung 1996 defines Peacekeepingas the intervention of international armed forces to separate the armed forces of parties to a conflict, often associated with civilian tasks such as surveillance and monitoring and assisting humanitarian intervention. Peacekeeping corresponds to three points on the escalation scale: to contain violence and prevent it from escalating into war; to limit the intensity, geographic spread, and duration of war after war breaks out; and to consolidate ceasefires and create space for reconstruction after war ends.
There are two generations of Peacekeeping strategies; Cold War Peacekeeping operations involved patrolling borders and buffer zones after ceasefires with lightly armed forces from neutral countries (first generation). These operations were modified during the 1990s with developments in roles and structures (second generation), incorporating political and civilian functions. Both generations were based on the consent of the parties, neutrality, minimal use of force, and authorization from the UN Security Council.[3]
Peace Making
According to Galtung’s (1996) vision, Peace Making is an attempt to end armed conflict through voluntary agreement between the conflicting parties in the form of a peace agreement, but third-party intervention is also required in the form of mediation. Post-Cold War data (1990- 2005) shows that 18% of conflicts ended in a peace agreement, 20% ended in a ceasefire without a peace agreement, 14% ended with one side winning, and 48% ended with a different outcome. The reduction in conflicts attests to the success of international peace efforts through mediation and intervention by third parties (Ramsbotham et al., 2016). However, the peace process is fraught with significant challenges, as warring parties tend to stick to their respective stances. As such, the establishment of trust and mutual commitment is key to securing a sustainable peace settlement. [4]
Peace Building
A process that aims to establish permanent peace by ending the root causes of conflict and building stable institutions at the social, political, and economic levels. Peace Building involves a range of activities including post-war reconstruction, institution building, demobilization and reintegration of former combatants, promotion of human rights, and socio-economic transformation geared towards avoiding the re-emergence of armed conflict. Successful Peace Building will realize both negative peace and positive peace.[5]
Negative peace is the absence of physical violence or war but without confronting the underlying structural factors that may lead to future conflict. Peacebuilding activities at this level include disarmament, ceasefire monitoring, and law enforcement to exclude direct violence.
Positive peace is a situation where physical violence is not only eliminated, but also the roots of conflict such as social injustice, discrimination, and economic inequality are also eliminated. Peacebuilding under these circumstances requires political transformation, improved human rights, sustainable inclusive economic development, and social reconciliation to build sustainable stability. Positive peace will improve and make negative peace not temporary but long-term.[6]
Indonesian Foreign Minister’s proposal
In the Agenda of the OIC Extraordinary Ministerial Conference (KTM-LB), the Indonesian Minister as a representative of the state in voicing Indonesia’s position which is always committed to voicing the settlement and peace of the Palestinian conflict, submitted several proposals for Indonesia’s response to the latest developments in the Palestinian conflict, some of the things proposed are;
- Maintaining the continuation of the ceasefire agreement is Indonesia’s effort to urge the OIC to be firm in its efforts to make Israel enforce the ceasefire as its Peacekeeping step. Second, urging OIC member states to play a more active role in assisting the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) and also monitoring the ongoing advisory opinion case at the International Court of Justice against Israel. The ceasefire negotiations during the peacekeeping phase and the monitoring of the judicial proceedings underpinning the end of the conflict will continue to be monitored and promoted[7]. Then the process will continue to the second stage of negotiations, namely the peacemaking stage, namely negotiations and agreements between the two warring states for the realization of peace and justice for both parties. Indonesia will continue to monitor and strive for the negotiation process to be realized.
- Formulation of Gaza recovery and reconstruction plan or day-after plan
Indonesia hopes that the OIC can play a strategic role in ensuring that the reconstruction process in Gaza runs in accordance with the interests of the Palestinian people. For this reason, Indonesia is in line with the Cairo Declaration that was agreed upon by Arab countries on March 4. All of these are part of the efforts to build peace in an effort to realize lasting peace.[8]
- Combining efforts to realize a Two-State Solution There should be pressure on the UN Security Council to continue to press for and pass resolutions that ensure justice for both countries, so that a positive peace is achieved. This is the last part after Johan Galtung’s three stages of conflict resolution have been implemented. Peace will be achieved if both sides of the dispute are able to accept a fair settlement, aided by the early intervention of a third party to mediate the dispute and sponsor a constructive solution.
In trying to achieve conflict resolution, there are also challenges and opportunities that must be taken into account. Opportunities from the various stages used will be more successful if reconciliation, economic growth, political stability and rule of law are balanced. An approach that does not take into account local conditions risks prolonging the conflict. Therefore, external actors should ensure that the peace approach used is based on local needs and is open to allowing local communities to contribute to the process.
However, there are risks if the third party involved is not neutral. The presence of a neutral third party, such as an international body or independent mediator, can help create a more balanced communication space. Omeje (2008) notes that in some cases, the state causing the conflict is likely to be incapable of acting as a neutral referee. In such cases, intervention by external actors can, in certain situations, be a solution. In these conflicts, the involvement of a United Nations (UN) third party would go a long way to speeding up the resolution, provided that the resolution remains impartial. Nonetheless, there are obstacles caused by Palestine’s veto-wielding opponents at the UN, making it difficult for pro-Palestinian resolutions to be adopted.
To achieve positive peace, there must be a strong determination on the part of the conflicting countries to achieve mutual justice. Johan Galtung’s three conflict resolution methods proposed in the Indonesian proposal can indeed result in positive peace, which is peace that is limited to the absence of war and not the root of the problem. However, if the solutions and peace efforts focus on the interests of both countries equally and integrally, then there is a high probability that positive peace will be achieved. Positive peace not only eliminates armed conflict, but also institutionalizes peaceful relations and sustainable prosperity based on social justice and the welfare of all parties involved.
[1] Organization of Islamic Cooperation. (n.d.). OIC Extraordinary Summit on Palestine and Al-Quds Al-Sharif. Retrieved [Date], from https://www.oic-oci.org/confdetail/?cID=14&lan=en.
[2] CNBC Indonesia. (2025, March 10). Video: Trump Threatens to Relocate Gaza Residents, RI Firmly Supports Palestine. Retrieved from https://www.cnbcindonesia.com/news/20250310094149-8-617105/video-trump-ancam- relokasi-warga-gaza-ri-tegas-dukung-palestina
[3] Pulver, Robert “A. Rule of law, peacekeeping and the United Nations” Olga Martin-Ortega and Johanna Herman (eds.) Peacebuilding and the rule of law in Africa: Just peace New York: Routledge, 2011
[4] Galtung, Johan. Theories of Peace: A Synthetic Approach to Peace Thinking. Oslo International: Peace Research Institute, 1967
[5] Sempiga, Olivier. (2017). Peacekeeping, peacemaking, and peacebuilding: Towards positive peace in a society that endured conflict. 7. 185-200.
[6] Herath, Oshadhi. “A critical analysis of Positive and Negative Peace” Gebrewold, Belachew “Democracy and democratization in Africa” David J Francis (Ed.) Peace and conflict in Africa. London: Zed Books, 2008
[7] Good News from Indonesia. (2025, March 8). In Response to Syria and Palestine Issues, Indonesia Suggests 3 Important Steps. Retrieved from https://www.goodnewsfromindonesia.id/2025/03/08/respons-isu-suriah-dan-palestina- indonesia-sodorkan-3-langkah-penting-ini-intinya
[8] Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia. (2025, March 8). Foreign Minister Sugiono Encourages Solidarity, Active Role of OIC in Palestinian Issue. Retrieved from https://kemlu.go.id/berita/menlu-sugiono-dorong-solidaritas–peran-aktif-oki-dalam-isu- palestina?type=publication
