Indonesia Urges Israel to Free Global Sumud Flotilla Activists
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs strongly condemned the actions of the Israeli military for intercepting a number of ships forming part of the international humanitarian mission Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) 2.0 in waters around Cyprus in the Eastern Mediterranean, said spokesperson Yvonne Mewengkang of the Indonesian Foreign Ministry in a statement on Monday (18 May 2026).
The ministry said that to date ten ships have been intercepted by Israel. The vessels included the Amanda, Barbaros, Josef, and Blue Toys.
According to information from Global Peace Convoy Indonesia (GPCI), on the Josef there is an Indonesian citizen named Andi Angga Prasadewa who is a delegate from GPCI-Rumah Zakat.
The ministry is also trying to reach the vessel carrying a Republika journalist. The on-site situation remains highly dynamic, and further developments are expected to occur.
The vessel carrying the Republika journalist, Bambang Noroyono, has so far been difficult to contact to determine the status of the vessel and of Mr Bambang Noroyono aboard it.
The on-the-ground situation remains highly dynamic, and further developments warrant continued vigilance.
The Foreign Ministry calls on Israel to release all ships and all personnel taking part in the humanitarian mission, and to ensure that aid reaches Palestinians. It added that the Indonesian government expects humanitarian assistance to reach the people of Gaza in line with international humanitarian law.
The Indonesian Foreign Ministry, through the Directorate General of Protection of Indonesian Citizens (Ditjen Perlindungan WNI), has been coordinating with the Indonesian Embassies in Ankara, Cairo, and Amman to prepare precautionary steps to ensure safety and accelerate their repatriation if needed.
The ministry also continues to engage with various parties to obtain up-to-date information about the condition of Indonesian citizens, while preparing contingency steps, including protection facilitation and acceleration of repatriation if required. The protection of Indonesian citizens remains the government’s top priority amid the rapidly evolving situation.
In addition to the two Republika journalists, there were nine Indonesians taking part in the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) 2026, including seven Indonesians and two journalists. Republika’s Editor-in-Chief Andi Muhyiddin stated: “The volunteers come not with weapons, but with solidarity, medicines, logistical aid, and a voice of global conscience for Palestinian civilians who have faced blockade, hunger and relentless aggression for months.” Republika condemned the Israeli actions as a serious breach of international law. “We stand with humanitarian volunteers and reject all forms of criminalisation of humanitarian missions on the international seas,” he said.