GPCI Urges Government to Take Emergency Diplomatic Action to Free Indonesian Nationals Kidnapped by Israel

PEMBINA Global Peace Convoy Indonesia (GPCI), led by Bachtiar Nasir, has urged the government to immediately take emergency diplomatic steps following the interception of the Global Sumud Flotilla by the Israeli military and the detention of Indonesian nationals in international waters. “The Government of the Republic of Indonesia, particularly the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, should promptly take emergency diplomatic steps to ensure the safety of all Indonesian citizens aboard the Global Sumud Flotilla 2.0,” he said in a written statement on Monday, 18 May 2026. According to Bachtiar, the flotilla is a civilian mission carrying humanitarian aid and solidarity to the people of Gaza, not a military operation. Therefore, the siege and interception of the ships constitute violations of international law and human rights. He stressed that the Indonesian delegation carries a humanitarian mission to defend Palestinians living under blockade and crisis. In addition to urging the Indonesian government, he called on the United Nations and international human rights bodies to press Israel to halt the interception of civilian ships and to release all activists detained. “Do not let humanitarian volunteers face military force without a voice from the world,” he said. He also reminded the public to exercise caution in disseminating information about the incident and to prioritise validated sources for the safety of the delegates.

Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Yvonne Mewengkang said the government had not yet been able to contact the ships carrying Indonesian nationals as of Monday night, 18 May 2026, and did not know the status of the intercepted vessels. At least ten ships have been confirmed detained. The Foreign Ministry urged Israel to immediately release all vessels and crew members of the international humanitarian mission detained, and to guarantee the continuation of humanitarian aid to the Palestinian people in accordance with international humanitarian law. Yvonne said the Directorate for the Protection of Indonesian Citizens at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has coordinated with the Indonesian Embassies in Ankara, Cairo, and Amman to prepare anticipatory steps to ensure the safety of Indonesian citizens and expedite their repatriation. “The situation on the ground remains highly dynamic and developments must continue to be anticipated,” Yvonne told Tempo on 18 May 2026. The Foreign Ministry also said it would continue to engage with relevant parties to obtain up-to-date information on the condition of Indonesian nationals, and was preparing contingency measures, including protection facilitation and expedited repatriation if required. “Protection of Indonesian citizens remains the government’s top priority amid the rapidly evolving situation,” Yvonne said.

Coordinator of the Global Peace Convoy Indonesia (GPCI) Steering Council, Maimon Herawati, said there were nine Indonesians aboard the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) 2.0. He said the dozens of ships carried 450 volunteers from various countries sailing in the Mediterranean Sea. “We have information that the Israeli Navy began intercepting the ships as they attempted to breach the blockade of Gaza,” he said at a press conference in South Jakarta on Monday evening, 18 May 2026. GPCI learned that the Israeli military began intercepting the ships around 2 p.m. on Monday, 18 May 2026. The vessel intercepted was named Tabariyya (Cactus). He said this marked a Condition of Readiness 1 for the volunteers of the Global Sumud Flotilla.

Among the Indonesian delegates were representatives from Dompet Dhuafa, Rumah Zakat, Spirit of Aqsa, SMART 171, and journalists from Republika, Inews, and Tempo. The nine Indonesians on the mission included Herman Budianto Sudarsono and Ronggo Wirasanu from GPCI–Dompet Dhuafa aboard Kapal Zapyro; Andi Angga Prasadewa of GPCI–Rumah Zakat aboard Kapal Josef; Asad Aras Muhammad of GPCI–Spirit of Aqso aboard Kapal Kasr-1; Hendro Prasetyo of GPCI–SMART 171 aboard Kapal Kasr-1. Journalists Bambang Noroyono of Republika aboard Kapal Bolarize; photojournalist Thoudy Badai Rifan Billah of Republika aboard Kapal Ozgurluk; and Tempo journalist Andre Prasetyo Nugroho and iNews journalist Heru Rah… aboard Kapal Ozgurluk. Herman Budianto aboard Kapal Zapyro with Ronggo Wirsanu said they saw two warships approaching, deploying lifeboats to chase their vessels. He said the captain and crew, accustomed to sea conditions, managed to manoeuvre to avoid pursuit by the Israeli forces. The Zapyro, carrying two Indonesian delegates, continued toward Gaza to fulfil the humanitarian mission.

Of the nine Indonesians on the mission, five have reportedly been abducted by the Israeli army. On Kapal Bolarize, Republika journalist Bambang Noroyono and two Malaysian nationals were detained by the Israeli military. On Kapal Ozgurluk, three Indonesians were abducted, including Tempo journalist Andre Prasetyo, Republika journalist Thoudy Badai, and iNews journalist Heru Rah…