Foreign Minister Sugiono: 9 Indonesian WNI Released by Israel, En Route to Istanbul
Indonesia’s government confirmed that nine Indonesian nationals who were detained by the Israeli military following the interception of the Global Sumud Flotilla 2.0 aid convoy have been released and are en route to Istanbul, Turkey.
The information was conveyed by Foreign Minister Sugiono on Thursday evening. He said all nine nationals have left Israeli territory for Istanbul and will proceed back to Indonesia from there.
Sugiono described the release of the volunteers as the result of intensive government coordination since reports of the flotilla’s interception. The Indonesian Foreign Ministry employed diplomatic channels through several Indonesian missions abroad, including the Indonesian Embassy in Ankara, Cairo, Rome, Amman and the Consulate General in Istanbul. In addition, communications were conducted with various authorities and international partners.
The Indonesian government also expressed appreciation to the Turkish government for its active role and full support in facilitating the repatriation of the Indonesian volunteers.
‘We express our deep gratitude to the Turkish government for its active role and full support in facilitating this repatriation,’ Sugiono added. He also stressed Indonesia’s condemnation of the treatment of the volunteers during their detention, which he said was inhumane and contrary to international humanitarian law.
‘The government of Indonesia again condemns the inhumane treatment experienced by the volunteers during detention,’ Sugiono asserted. ‘Actions that demean the dignity of civilians in a humanitarian mission constitute a serious breach of international humanitarian law that cannot be tolerated.’
Sugiono said the government would continue to supervise the repatriation process until all Indonesians have safely arrived home. He also thanked the President of Indonesia, the Commission I of the House of Representatives, the Turkish government, and the Indonesian public for their support and prayers during the release process.
Previously, the nine Indonesians included four journalists who were part of the Global Sumud Flotilla 2.0 mission bound for Gaza along with hundreds of international activists. The flotilla was intercepted by the Israeli military in international waters.