Indonesian MP: Indonesian nationals were on a noble mission when detained by Israel

Jakarta – A member of Commission I of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Mahfudz Abdurrahman, said that Indonesian citizens detained by Israel were individuals on a noble mission, including journalists among them.

‘The journalists are carrying out a noble humanitarian mission to provide assistance to Gaza, but they were intercepted; then their ship was stopped, and several people were detained by Israel,’ Mahfudz told reporters on Thursday (21 May 2026).

‘This global geopolitical situation will have many effects. For example, five soldiers died in Lebanon, four of them were shot,’ he said.

He stressed that the state has an obligation to ensure a thorough investigation into the incident’s causes.

‘This also becomes the state’s duty, not only to handle repatriation, but also to be investigated. What is the background? Whether the weapon misfired or it was deliberate, all must be investigated comprehensively,’ he said.

He urged the Foreign Ministry to take diplomatic steps to ensure the safety of Indonesian citizens in a conflict zone.

According to him, Indonesia should use diplomatic channels through third parties given there are no formal diplomatic ties with Israel.

‘I also hope the Foreign Ministry will carry out such efforts. After all, Indonesia does not have formal diplomatic relations with Israel, so third parties must be used,’ he said.

Even without direct diplomatic channels with Israel, Indonesia has sought assistance from Jordan and Turkey to ensure the welfare of nine Indonesian nationals detained by Israeli forces while taking part in a humanitarian mission with the Global Sumud Flotilla.

Foreign Minister Sugiono said that the two countries have diplomatic relations with Israel, and can therefore convey Indonesia’s message.

‘We have also asked for help from our colleagues in Jordan and Turkey, and from other sources as well. Our counterparts in countries with diplomatic relations with Israel to convey this message,’ Sugiono told reporters at the DPR building in Senayan, Jakarta, on Wednesday (20 May 2026).

He said what Israel has done violates humanitarian law.