Five Indonesian Citizens Detained by Israel as Government Prepares Protective Measures

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - The Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Kemenlu) notes that five Indonesian nationals have been detained in the humanitarian mission Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) by Israel. Meanwhile, four other Indonesian nationals aboard two vessels are continuing their voyage in waters off Cyprus. ‘The four Indonesians still at sea are also facing interception or detention at any time by the Israeli military,’ Foreign Ministry spokesperson Yvonne Mewengkang said in a statement on Tuesday, 19 May 2026. Yvonne said that, as a precaution, the Ministry has coordinated with several Indonesian missions abroad, including the Indonesian Embassies in Ankara, Cairo, Rome, Amman, as well as the Consulate-General in Istanbul. The Indonesian missions are also continuing to engage with local authorities to ensure transit access and a smooth repatriation process for the Indonesian nationals without immigration obstacles. At the international level, Indonesia has joined nine other countries—Turkey, Bangladesh, Brazil, Colombia, Jordan, Libya, the Maldives, Pakistan, and Spain—in a joint statement condemning Israel’s attack on the humanitarian mission Global Sumud Flotilla 2.0 in waters around Cyprus, in the Eastern Mediterranean. ‘The Foreign Ministry, via the relevant Indonesian missions, will continue to monitor developments, verify the positions and conditions of the Indonesian nationals, and prepare protective measures as needed on the ground,’ he said. ‘The Foreign Ministry strongly condemns the Israeli military action that intercepted several vessels and detained Indonesian volunteers who were part of the International Global Sumud Flotilla Mission or GSF 2.0 in the waters around Cyprus, the Eastern Mediterranean,’ he added.