Meeting with the Speaker of the MPR, GPCI Reports Nine Indonesian Citizens Detained by Israeli Forces

Jakarta — Global Peace Convoy Indonesia (GPCI) has reported to the leadership of the Indonesian People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR RI) that nine Indonesian citizens participating in the Global Sumud Flotilla humanitarian mission to Gaza have been detained by Israeli forces. The report was delivered by GPCI representative Ahmad Juwaini during a meeting with Deputy Speaker Hidayat Nur Wahid at the Parliament Complex in Senayan, Jakarta, on Tuesday, 19 May 2026.

“So we came to the MPR, specifically to Mr Hidayat Nur Wahid, to first report a brief update on the developments of the Global Freedom Flotilla mission in which Indonesian citizens participate,” Juwaini said.

He said the flotilla voyage to Gaza began in Barcelona, Spain, on 12 April 2026. However, upon entering Greek waters, the first ships were intercepted by Israeli forces. “The first wave was intercepted by Israel and more than 170 were detained at that time,” said Juwaini.

Two participants named Thiago and Sheikh Abul Khasik were released after almost 12 days in detention.

The mission then continued from Marmaris, Turkey. In this leg, nine Indonesian participants joined the voyage toward Gaza.

Juwaini noted that the ship carrying the delegation was intercepted again by Israeli forces on Monday (18 May 2026) afternoon around 15:00 WIB.

“There have been around 40 ships detained and 332 humanitarian activists and journalists from various countries abducted at present,” he said.

Therefore, GPCI asked the MPR leadership to convey a message to the government to take diplomatic steps to assist in securing the release of the Indonesian delegates.

“Regarding the abduction of our delegation, we of course hope that through Mr Hidayat Nur Wahid as the MPR leader, the message can be conveyed to the Indonesian government, ministries, and related agencies to rescue Indonesian citizens,” Juwaini said.