Indonesia engages local authorities to secure repatriation access for Indonesians aboard Gaza flotilla

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Chief of Staff to the President General TNI (Ret.) Dudung Abdurachman said the government is engaging with local authorities to ensure the repatriation access of nine Indonesian citizens who joined the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) towards Gaza, Palestine.

In a press conference in Jakarta on Tuesday, Dudung said there are five Indonesians detained by the Israeli military and four others still aboard different ships in the eastern Mediterranean Sea.

“The on-the-ground situation remains very dynamic; the four Indonesians still sailing are in a vulnerable condition,” Dudung said.

The Head of the Presidential Staff Office (KSP) explained that Indonesia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Kemlu) has already carried out initial coordination with the Indonesian Embassy (KBRI) in Turkey, Egypt, Italy, and Jordan as a precautionary move for issuing a Travel Document in Lieu of Passport (SPLP) if passports are seized and for medical support if needed.

“Furthermore, RI representatives have also engaged local authorities to ensure transit access and that the repatriation process for Indonesian citizens can proceed without immigration obstacles,” Dudung added.

Indonesia’s government has also joined nine other countries, namely Turkey, Bangladesh, Brazil, Colombia, Jordan, Libya, Maldives, Pakistan, and Spain in a joint statement condemning Israel’s attack on the GSF.

He said RI representatives remain on standby to promptly act on notifications and coordinate with local authorities.

Earlier, Israeli forces were reported to have intercepted at least 40 of the 54 ships taking part in the humanitarian convoy of the GSF by Tuesday (19 May).

The Indonesian Foreign Ministry confirmed today that five Indonesian citizens were captured by Israeli forces who boarded the ships in the humanitarian convoy.