Indonesia just reversed course and chanted Free Palestine on stage

Indonesia's president just chanted Free Palestine three times on stage.

And less than a year ago, he ended a speech at the United Nations with the Hebrew word Shalom.

So what changed? Well, let's walk through it.

This happened a few hours ago at the 100th anniversary of the Darussalam Gontor Islamic Boarding School, in Ponorogo, East Java. Thousands of people were there. And when Prabowo Subianto, Indonesia's president, shouted Free Palestine, the whole crowd shouted it back.

Then the Palestinian Ambassador to Indonesia, Abdulfattah A.K. Al-Sattari, walked on stage.

He gave Prabowo Subianto a keffiyeh. That's the black-and-white scarf that stands for Palestine. The two men hugged.

Prabowo Subianto put it on. Then he wiped his eyes with it. And bowed his head.

He went back to the microphone. And chanted Free Palestine twice more.

He told the crowd Indonesia needs to be strong so it can help Palestinians. He says quote "we can help our brothers and sisters who are oppressed".

He also said the attacks on Palestinians should push Indonesia to build up its own strength.

Now here's the thing. Indonesia is the world's biggest Muslim-majority country. And it has never had formal diplomatic relations with Israel.

But less than a year ago, Prabowo Subianto stood at the UN General Assembly in New York. And he said something that genuinely surprised Israeli officials.

He said the world must recognise, respect and guarantee Israel's safety. He says quote "guarantee the safety and security of Israel".

Then he ended the whole speech with one word. Shalom. Hebrew for peace.

An Israeli official told the Times of Israel at the time that Israel was surprised by how sympathetic he sounded.

And he went further than just words. He said Indonesia would recognise Israel the same day Israel recognises a Palestinian state. He even offered to send up to 20,000 Indonesian troops into Gaza as peacekeepers.