Indonesia coordinates with partner nations after Israel attacks Gaza flotilla

Jakarta (ANTARA) – Indonesian Foreign Minister Sugiono said Indonesia has coordinated with its representatives in the Middle East as well as friendly countries whose citizens participated in the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) that was attacked by Israel. The intensive coordination, he said, was undertaken to ensure the safety of nine Indonesian citizens confirmed as kidnapped by Israel after it intercepted the humanitarian flotilla heading to the Gaza Strip early this week. ‘We are asking for help from our colleagues, firstly, from countries whose citizens faced a similar fate, then with our colleagues in Jordan and Turkey,’ Sugiono told reporters at the Parliament Complex, Senayan, Jakarta, on Wednesday. He said the MFA is maintaining intensive communications with colleagues at the Jordanian and Turkish Ministries of Foreign Affairs to ascertain the condition of the Indonesian nationals abducted by Zionist forces. Furthermore, because there is no direct contact, Indonesia requires intermediary assistance from friendly states with closer access to Israel, he added. ‘So far the information we have received is still difficult due to limited communications,’ he said. The Foreign Minister also praised the spirit of Indonesian nationals and global volunteers in the Global Sumud Flotilla who represented the global community’s wish to help Palestinians suffering under Zionist oppression. ‘This reflects a desire to create a better situation for our brothers and sisters in Palestine, and in Gaza in particular,’ he said. ‘We pray that they remain safe and can return home in good health as soon as possible,’ Sugiono added. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday confirmed that all nine Indonesian participants in the flotilla to the Gaza Strip were abducted by Israeli forces. Among them were three national journalists performing their duties: Bambang Noroyono and Thoudy Badai of Republika, and Andre Prasetyo Nugroho of Tempo. Indonesia strongly condemns the actions of Zionist Israeli forces who intercepted the vessels carrying humanitarian aid and detained their volunteers, including a number of Indonesian citizens. The situation also underscored the need for the Zionist regime to ensure the continued delivery of humanitarian aid to the Palestinian people in accordance with international humanitarian law.