Expert: Indonesian Government Must Free WNI, but Should Not Negotiate Directly

Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia - Professor Hikmahanto Juwana, a Professor of International Law at Universitas Indonesia (UI), has urged the government to release Indonesian citizens detained by Israeli authorities. However, he stressed that the efforts should not be conducted through direct negotiations with the Israeli government. ‘The issue of the detention of Indonesian citizens is not a bilateral matter between Indonesia and Israel, considering Indonesia does not maintain diplomatic relations with Israel,’ he said on Tuesday (19 May 2026). ‘The detention issue is a global matter with Israel. Therefore, Indonesia, in protecting its citizens, must act in coordination with countries whose citizens are detained by Israel,’ he explained. He added that a direct bilateral approach between Indonesia and Israel would be exploited by Israel for its own interests. For example, Israel’s demand that Indonesia be willing to open diplomatic relations. ‘A bilateral approach will be detrimental to Indonesia,’ he warned. ‘Even the Indonesian public will criticise the government for seeking relations with the Israeli government. This would have negative consequences for the relationship between the people and the government domestically,’ he added. In the worst-case scenario, the government might not be able to secure the release of the Indonesians detained, especially if there are a number of demands from Israel. In such a situation, the government cannot be blamed for not being able to secure their release given that the Indonesians detained from the outset were fully aware of the consequences of joining the Sumud Flotilla. Meanwhile, in today’s update from the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Kemlu), Spokesperson Yvonne Mewengkang said that five out of the nine Indonesian nationals who are members of Global Peace Convoy Indonesia (GPCI) in the GSF 2.0 mission have been detained by the Israeli military. This update also revises earlier reports that stated all nine Indonesians were detained. ‘The Ministry notes that based on information as of this morning, of the total nine Indonesian nationals who are members of the GPCI participating in the GSF 2.0 mission, five were reported to have been detained by the Israeli military around the Cyprus or Eastern Mediterranean waters. Meanwhile, four Indonesians on two different vessels are known to still be sailing near Cyprus waters,’ Yvonne said. The Ministry has coordinated with Indonesia’s Mission in Ankara, Turkey, then Cairo, Egypt, in Rome, Italy, and Amman, Jordan. The Indonesian Consulate General in Istanbul is also preparing protective measures, including issuing a Travel Document in Lieu of Passport (SPLP) if Indonesians’ documents are seized, providing medical support, and ensuring the transit and repatriation process proceeds smoothly. (sef/luc)