Heartbreaking Message from Republika Journalist Abducted by Israeli Soldiers, Urging Indonesia to Continue Supporting Palestinian Independence
The fate of Republika journalist Bambang Noroyono, or Abeng, has come under intense scrutiny after he was reported abducted by Israeli soldiers while participating in the Global Sumud Flotilla 2026 humanitarian mission to Gaza, Palestine. Amidst the Israeli military interception of the international volunteer fleet, Abeng managed to send a video message requesting assistance from the Indonesian government.
The video was uploaded via the Republika Instagram account on Monday, 18 May 2026. In the recording, Bambang Noroyono requested that the Government of the Republic of Indonesia take immediate steps to secure his release from Israeli military abduction.
“I am Bambang Noroyono, also known as Abeng, an Indonesian citizen and a participant in the Global Sumud Flotilla 2026 humanitarian mission. If you find this video, please convey to the Indonesian government that I am currently being held by Israeli Zionist soldiers,” Abeng stated in the video quoted from the Republika Instagram account on Monday, 18 May 2026.
Abeng also urged the Indonesian government to continue supporting the struggle of the Palestinian people amidst the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
“I request that the Indonesian government frees me from the abduction by the Israeli Zionist occupation forces, and I ask the Indonesian government to continue supporting the independence of Palestine,” he said.
Previously, Israeli forces were reported to have begun intercepting the Global Sumud Flotilla fleet on Monday, 18 May 2026, at approximately 11:00 Turkish time. The operation took place in Cypriot waters, approximately 200 nautical miles from Gaza.
The Global Sumud Flotilla is known to be an international humanitarian mission carrying volunteers and aid for the Palestinian people in Gaza. The group included several volunteers from Indonesia, including Bambang Noroyono.
Bambang was aboard the ship Boralize with other volunteers when the interception occurred. Before communication was severed, he had reported the approach of Israeli warships towards the fleet he was travelling on.
According to the last report sent by Bambang, Israeli warships were seen very close to the volunteer ship, at a distance of only about one hundred metres.
Shortly after that report, Bambang Noroyono was reported abducted by Israeli soldiers during the interception operation. To date, there has been no official information regarding the condition of Bambang or the other volunteers who were also detained.