HNW lauds the Foreign Ministry’s diplomacy in the release of Indonesian activists from Israel

Deputy Speaker of the Indonesian People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR RI) Hidayat Nur Wahid (HNW) welcomed the release of 428 humanitarian activists from 45 countries, including nine Indonesians, four of whom are journalists, who were part of the Global Shumud Flotilla II. The activists had undertaken a humanitarian mission to break the Gaza blockade and deliver aid to Palestinians.

On Tuesday 19 May, HNW received a delegation from Global Peace Convoy Indonesia (GPCJI) to press for the release of the Indonesian activists and journalists held by Israel, while also praising the swift and effective action taken by the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Kemenlu). He said the move demonstrated the state’s presence in protecting Indonesian citizens, as well as responding to calls from various parties and international pressure demanding the release of the humanitarian activists and condemning Israel’s actions.

HNW also urged the international community to impose firm sanctions on Israel so that the abduction and inhumane treatment of humanitarian volunteers seeking to deliver aid to Gaza does not recur.

‘We certainly appreciate the diplomatic steps of the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Kemenlu), which can coordinate effectively with partner countries such as Turkey, Egypt, and Jordan even without formal diplomatic ties with Israel, aided by international pressure, which ultimately led to Israel freeing nine Indonesian nationals (including four journalists) who had been abducted and held by Israel,’ HNW said in a statement on Friday 22 May 2026.

‘It is important for the Indonesian Foreign Ministry to continue to oversee the repatriation of those nine activists so they can reach home safely and in good health, and to remain steadfast in implementing the Constitution, upholding peace, helping Gaza, ending genocide, by breaking the annual blockade imposed by Israel. The meaning will be greater if Indonesia — which is also the current Chair of the UN Human Rights Council — together with 44 other countries whose citizens have been abducted and mistreated by Israel continues to pursue legal steps and sanctions against Israel for violations of human rights and international law,’ he added.

HNW also expressed appreciation for humanitarian activists from various countries who continue to deliver aid to Gaza despite great risks. He said the actions of volunteers reflect humanitarian concern that should be protected by the international community and international law.

‘We also express the deepest respect for the sincerity and bravery of humanitarian activists from around the world, including Indonesia, even though they face significant risks, they continue to help Gaza by challenging Israel’s blockade so that humanitarian assistance can reach Gaza, which is threatened with genocide,’ he added.

‘What these activists are doing should be protected by the international community and international law, particularly with the ICJ advisory opinion that humanitarian aid must be accessible to Gaza, Palestine,’ he said.

HNW stressed that the inhumane and barbaric actions are unacceptable and have drawn wide condemnation from many countries. Moreover, after the circulation of a video in which Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir appeared to demean the dignity of the activists, several countries such as Italy, France, the Netherlands, Canada and Australia even summoned the Israeli ambassador to explain the behaviour.

Although Israeli ambassadors and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed regret over Ben-Gvir’s actions, saying they did not reflect Israel’s values, the international community should be urged to impose harsh sanctions to prevent repetition.

‘This is not merely a failure to reflect Israel’s stated values; it reveals the values Israel actually holds — lowering human dignity and acting arbitrarily,’ he said. ‘If he can behave like this on camera, imagine how they would treat Palestinian detainees who are not in the spotlight. Therefore, this incident should serve as a turning point for the international community to push for strong sanctions against Israel, so that its wrongdoing is not repeated, and so thousands of Palestinians imprisoned arbitrarily by Israel can be released promptly, in line with the peace agreements signed,’ he concluded.