Indonesia and Countries Whose Citizens Were Abducted by Israel Seek Ways to Secure Their Release

The Indonesian Foreign Ministry (Kemlu) said the government would use all diplomatic channels to expedite the repatriation of nine Indonesian nationals who were captured by Israeli forces after their ships were intercepted during the Global Sumud Flotilla humanitarian convoy to Gaza on Thursday, 21 May. ‘We will use all channels of diplomacy and all available diplomatic channels to continue protecting and pursuing the release of the Indonesian citizens,’ Foreign Ministry spokesperson Yvonne Mewengkang said at a media briefing at the Foreign Ministry in Jakarta. She emphasised that Indonesia, through several relevant representatives overseas, continues to monitor the status and whereabouts of the Indonesian nationals and to prepare precautionary steps as needed, including coordinating with authorities concerned. She explained that protecting Indonesian citizens is a priority, so the government’s main focus is to oversee the release process until all Indonesians can safely return home as soon as possible. ‘We have engaged in close coordination on multiple fronts, approached various parties including authorities to ensure access to consular assistance, medical support if needed, and to ensure that the repatriation process can be carried out swiftly in safe conditions without obstacles,’ she said. Yvonne added that Foreign Minister Sugiono has also communicated with partners in several countries such as Turkey and Jordan, whose citizens are also part of the humanitarian voyage to the Gaza route. ‘We will of course continue to explore all channels of communication, including through friendly countries with access to Israel, including the legal team or the Global Sumud Flotilla secretariat, and other parties who can help ensure safe access to communication and the liberation of Indonesian citizens,’ she said. Kemlu previously confirmed that nine Indonesians who participated in the Global Sumud Flotilla convoys toward the Gaza Strip were captured by Israeli forces after their ships were intercepted. Among the nine Indonesians abducted were three national journalists on assignment: Bambang Noroyono and Thoudy Badai of Republika, and Andre Prasetyo Nugroho of Tempo. Indonesia strongly condemns Israel’s interception of ships delivering humanitarian aid in the Global Sumud Flotilla 2.0 and focuses on freeing the captured Indonesians. Human rights group Adalah has alleged that activists on the Global Sumud Flotilla were subjected to abuse by Israeli authorities, including electric shocks and harassment over hijabs. Foreign Minister Sugiono clarified that the status of the nine Indonesians captured on the Global Sumud Flotilla 2.0 was not kidnapping, but the interception of aid to Gaza. The meeting served as a forum for exchanging ideas about the role of media in public diplomacy and strengthening Indonesia’s image in the eyes of the world. The government, via Kemlu, confirmed that the repatriation process for three Indonesian soldiers who died in Lebanon would proceed in a manner that minimises difficulties amid the ongoing armed conflict. Kemlu reaffirmed that the deployment of peacekeeping troops to Gaza and discussions of the Board of Peace (BoP) have been postponed.