Govt seeks release of Indonesian journalists detained by Israel
Coordinating Minister for Law, Human Rights, Immigration and Corrections Yusril Ihza Mahendra stated that efforts will be carried out through diplomatic and legal means, in conjunction with various international third parties.
“The public is deeply concerned and regrets the actions of the Israeli military against Indonesian citizens, especially journalists who crossed international waters to carry out humanitarian activities to help victims of the conflict in Gaza,” Mahendra stated on Tuesday
He revealed that the government is still having difficulty contacting the three journalists who are currently being held in custody.
The detained media members have been identified as Bambang Noroyono and Thoudy Badai from Republika, along with Andre Prasetyo Nugroho from Tempo.
He added that the Foreign Affairs Ministry had taken proactive steps to seek information on their exact whereabouts and secure their release.
The Indonesian government faces immense obstacles because it does not maintain diplomatic relations with Israel, making it unable to conduct direct negotiations.
However, Mahendra added that the government is ensuring it will continue to pursue diplomatic and legal channels through alternative authorities.
“We will certainly take diplomatic and legal measures through the government and third parties to protect our citizens abducted by Israel,” he emphasized.
Earlier, the Foreign Affairs Ministry confirmed that five of the nine Indonesians participating in the Gaza humanitarian mission have been arrested.
The ships carrying the five Indonesian journalists and activists were intercepted by Israeli forces on Monday during their voyage from Turkiye to Gaza.
Meanwhile four other Indonesian citizens on two different ships are continuing their voyage around Cypriot waters.
The ministry’s spokesperson Yvonne Mewengkang stated that the situation remains highly dynamic across the Mediterranean region.
She warned that the other Indonesian citizens who successfully evaded interception by Israeli forces yesterday are still at risk of being detained.
In light of these developments the ministry has coordinated with multiple Indonesian embassies to prepare comprehensive measures for handling the citizens.
The diplomatic teams in Cairo, Rome, Amman, and Istanbul are working together to monitor the evolving situation.
The Indonesian diplomatic missions are ready to issue Emergency Passports as replacement travel documents if their original passports are confiscated by authorities.
Furthermore the foreign mission teams will provide medical support if necessary to ensure the well-being of the citizens.
“Our representatives are also approaching local authorities to ensure transit access so that the repatriation process for Indonesian citizens can proceed without immigration obstacles,” Mewengkang remarked.
Furthermore Mewengkang said that Indonesian diplomatic missions will continue to monitor the situation and confirm the location and condition of the citizens.
The spokesperson concluded that the embassies will prepare protective measures and immediately respond to notifications from local authorities.
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Translator: Willi Irawan, Yashinta Difa