9 Indonesians Released by Israel Return Home, Foreign Minister Says 'Welcome Back to Families'
Foreign Minister Sugiono welcomed the return of nine Indonesian nationals who were volunteers with the Global Sumud Flotilla 2026 and had been detained by Israel. Sugiono stated that those suffering physical trauma would receive further medical attention.
“Thank you, welcome back, and may you reunite with your families. Reports indicate some of our compatriots have physical trauma that will be addressed,” Sugiono said at Soekarno-Hatta Airport in Tangerang, Banten, on Sunday (24 May 2026).
Sugiono expressed gratitude to all parties involved in securing the release and repatriation of the Indonesian nationals, with special thanks to the Turkish government.
“Thank you to the President for his guidance, members of Commission I, leaders and members of Commission I of the DPR RI, and the Global Sumud Flotilla,” he said.
“Our special thanks go to the governments of Turkey, Jordan, and Egypt for their assistance, particularly Turkey, which helped in the pickup of our compatriots from Ashdod,” he added.
The nine volunteers exited Terminal 3 at Soekarno-Hatta Airport around 4:25 pm WIB. They were seen wearing keffiyehs, traditional Palestinian scarves.
Relatives of the Indonesian nationals also greeted their return with banners and Palestinian flags, cheering as the nationals emerged from the terminal.
The arrests of the nine Indonesians began when Israeli forces intercepted humanitarian aid ships from the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) on Monday (18 May). Several GSF vessels were intercepted in stages, leading to the detention of volunteers by Israel.
All GSF volunteers, including the nine Indonesians, were released on Thursday (21 May) local time and arrived in Turkey on a chartered flight provided by local authorities.
Several Indonesian nationals detained by Israel reported inhumane treatment, with some alleging physical violence such as being beaten or subjected to electric shocks. The list of the nine Indonesians detained by Israeli forces, according to GPCI reports, is as follows:
Herman Budianto Sudarson (GPCI-Dompet Dhuafa), Vessel Zapyro
Ronggo Wirasanu (GPCI-Dompet Dhuafa), Vessel Zapyro
Andi Angga Prasadewa (GPCI-Rumah Zakat), Vessel Josef
Asad Aras Muhammad (GPCI-Spirit of Aqso), Vessel Kasr-1
Hendro Prasetyo (GPCI-SMART 171), Vessel Kasr-1
Bambang Noroyono (Republika), Vessel BoraLize
Thoudy Badai Rifan Billah (Republika), Vessel Ozgurluk
Andre Prasetyo Nugroho (Tempo), Vessel Ozgurluk
Rahendro Herubowo (GPCI and iNews Media Team), Vessel Ozgurluk