DPR Member Urges International Community to Take Firm Stance Against Israel

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - House of Representatives Commission I member Mahfudz Abdurrahman urged the international community to take a firm stance against Israel, which frequently violates international law. This follows Israel’s interception and detention of nine Indonesian citizens (WNIs) participating in the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) humanitarian mission to Palestine. “We hope such incidents do not recur. The international community must take a firmer stance against actions threatening civilian safety and hindering humanitarian missions,” Mahfudz stated in a comment, quoted on Monday (25 May 2026). Journalists and activists on board were detained and allegedly subjected to violence by Israeli authorities. “Humanitarian journalists and activists have a moral mandate to report on humanitarian conditions. They are not combatants and should not be treated repressively,” Mahfudz said. Therefore, he urged the Indonesian government to continue actively playing a diplomatic role in supporting a just and dignified resolution to the Palestinian conflict. “We commend the Foreign Ministry and all parties working to ensure the safety and release of the WNIs involved in the humanitarian mission. The state must protect every Indonesian citizen, wherever they are,” Mahfudz said. The nine WNIs detained by Israel in mid-May 2026 returned home on Sunday (24 May 2026). They were greeted by Foreign Minister Sugiono, Palestinian Ambassador to Indonesia Abdalfatah A.K. Alsattari, Director General of Immigration Hendarsam Marantoko, and family members at Soekarno-Hatta Airport in Tangerang, Banten. According to Global Peace Convoy Indonesia (GPCI) sources, the nine WNIs include Andi Angga Prasadewa from Rumah Zakat, who boarded the Josef ship and was detained by Israel. Also included is Republika journalist Bambang Noroyono, known as Abeng, who boarded the BoraLize ship. Sugiono said the government had been coordinating and negotiating since the activists were intercepted on 18 May 2026 until their safe return home. “This afternoon, with gratitude to Allah SWT, the Almighty, we welcome back our compatriots part of the Global Sumud Flotilla 2.0,” Sugiono said at Soekarno-Hatta Airport in Cengkareng, Tangerang, Banten, on Sunday (24 May 2026). Sugiono also highlighted the role of friendly nations in assisting the WNIs’ return, particularly Turkey. “We extend special thanks to the governments of Turkey, Jordan, and Egypt for their assistance, especially Turkey for helping to collect our compatriots from Ashdod,” Sugiono said.