Foreign Minister Admits Inability to Contact Indonesians Detained by Israel

Foreign Minister Sugiono said that to date the government has not been able to communicate with Indonesian citizens or WNI who were taken hostage by the Israeli Navy. They were part of the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) 2.0 humanitarian mission convoy. According to Sugiono, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is in contact with authorities in Turkey and Jordan to ascertain the condition of the Indonesian nationals detained. ‘So far the information we have received is still difficult because communication is limited,’ he said at the Parliament Complex in Jakarta on Wednesday, 20 May 2026.

Despite the difficulties, Sugiono said the government continues to monitor developments and coordinate with the authorities of those two countries. He also expressed appreciation for the volunteers joining the Global Sumud Flotilla, as it reflects a desire to improve the situation in Gaza, Palestine.

The General Secretary of the Gerindra Party said he hopes the condition of the Indonesian nationals detained by Israel is okay and that they can return home soon. ‘This is a spirit I think deserves appreciation. We hope their condition is fine. We will continue to coordinate because we do not have direct relations,’ Sugiono said.

Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Vahd Nabyl A. Mulachela, confirmed that nine Indonesians were abducted by Israeli forces that seized their humanitarian mission ships in international waters. Among the nine Indonesians abducted by Israel were three national media journalists on assignment: Bambang Noroyono and Thoudy Badai from Republika, and Andre Prasetyo Nugroho from Tempo.

Nabyl assured that all diplomatic channels and consular steps are being maximised to ensure full protection for the Indonesians abducted by Israel. The steps will continue until all Indonesian participants of the Global Sumud Flotilla to Gaza are safely able to return home, he said.

‘Indonesia urges the Israeli government to immediately release all ships and crews of the international humanitarian mission held,’ Nabyl told ANTARA in writing in Jakarta, on Wednesday 20 May 2026.