Deputy Speaker of DPR Confident Government Will Make Maximum Effort to Free 9 Indonesians Detained by Israel

The Deputy Speaker of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI), Saan Mustopa, has strongly condemned the arrests made by the Israeli military against nine Indonesian citizens. The individuals are members of the Global Peace Convoy Indonesia (GPCI) and were part of the Global Freedom Flotilla humanitarian mission heading towards Gaza.

“We regret and condemn the actions taken by Israel regarding the arrests of both journalists and our fellow citizens,” Saan told reporters at the Parliament Complex in Senayan, Central Jakarta, on Wednesday, 20 May 2026.

Saan expressed his belief that the government, through the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Kemlu), is making serious efforts to handle this issue, including the release of the nine detained Indonesians. “I am confident that the government, specifically the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and relevant agencies, will be serious in addressing this and will strive as much as possible to guarantee the safety of our citizens, including journalists, and will endeavour to secure their release from Israeli detention as soon as possible,” he concluded.

Previously, the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that all Indonesian citizens participating in the humanitarian flotilla to the Gaza Strip were victims of abduction by Israeli Zionist forces, who intercepted their vessels. “Based on the latest information, nine Indonesian citizens who are members of the Global Peace Convoy Indonesia (GPCI) as part of the GSF 2.0 mission have all been reported detained by Israel,” stated Vahd Nabyl A. Mulachela, Spokesperson II for the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in a written response in Jakarta.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, alongside Indonesian representatives in the region, continues to conduct intensive approaches with local authorities and all relevant parties to ensure that all nine Indonesians are safe and protected. Among the nine Indonesians abducted by Israel are three national media journalists performing their journalistic duties: Bambang Noroyono and Thoudy Badai from Republika, and Andre Prasetyo Nugroho from Tempo.

Nabyl ensured that all diplomatic channels and consular measures are being maximised to ensure full protection for the Indonesians abducted by Israel. These steps will continue to be pursued until all Indonesian participants of the flotilla to the Gaza Strip can return home safely, he added.