Indonesian nationals detained by Israel set to return to Indonesia this Saturday
Nine Indonesian nationals who were captured by Israel while volunteering in the Global Sumud Flotilla humanitarian mission will return to Indonesia from Türkiye on Saturday (23 May 2026). God willing, they will return home, as planned, if there are no obstacles tomorrow, Saturday, said Harfin Naqsyabandy, Coordinator of Media for Global Peace Convoy Indonesia (GPCI), to Kompas.com on Friday (22 May 2026). The volunteers remain in Türkiye after being released from Israel on Thursday (21 May 2026).
Harfin also explained that there are a number of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) the volunteers must undergo after being released from Israel.
“Yes, there are SOPs, including inspections, video testimonials for evidence of Zionist violence that will be collected first as material for the report,” Harfin said.
GPCI also expressed its profound appreciation to the Indonesian Government, particularly the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Kementerian Luar Negeri, Kemlu RI), the Indonesian Embassy (KBRI), and Commission I of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI), which are considered highly progressive in safeguarding the volunteers’ safety.
He emphasised that political backing from parliament and the hard work of the on-ground teams were the key to the smooth evacuation.
“To Commission I of the DPR RI, don’t forget they are also extraordinary; their pushes for these efforts are there. So basically many parties helped, including the Global Freedom Flotilla team, the GPCI team in Turkey. Everyone helped the entire process of repatriation to Istanbul,” Harfin said.
The activists and journalists were detained from different ships they were aboard before being taken into custody by Israeli authorities.
The Indonesian government is continuing to coordinate with various parties to ensure the repatriation process proceeds smoothly.
“Indonesia’s government is currently coordinating with relevant parties to ensure the repatriation of all Indonesian nationals to the homeland proceeds smoothly so that all Indonesian nationals can return safely and as soon as possible,” he said.