Muhammadiyah Condemns Israel's Abduction of Five Indonesian Nationals, Urges the UN to Act

Jakarta — The Central Leadership of Muhammadiyah (PP Muhammadiyah) condemned Israel’s military operation that abducted five Indonesian nationals, including four journalists, who were among the crew of ships belonging to the Global Peace Convoy Indonesia (GPCI) taking part in the Global Sumud Flotilla 2026 to Gaza, Palestine.

‘Muhammadiyah always condemns any form of intervention, and even violence or violent politics—politics of violence only harms everyone, including journalists and humanitarian activists. They have no political interests,’ said Haedar Nashir, speaking at Universitas Islam? No ‘Unisa’ Sleman, DIY, on Tuesday (19/5). He expressed hope that Israel stops its ‘blind’ approach to issues related to Palestine. Having already been arbitrary towards the people of Gaza, it now detains humanitarian activists. He called for the United Nations to step in. ‘The real objective is peace and humanity, and the UN must act,’ he asserted.

The five Indonesians aboard the Global Peace Convoy Indonesia ships were Rahendro Herubowo, Andre Prasetyo Nugroho, Thoudy Badai, Bambang Noroyono alias Abeng, and Andi Angga Prasetya. They were spread across several ships intercepted by the Israeli military. Rahendro, Thoudy and Andre were aboard the Kapal Ozgurluk; Abeng on Kapal BoraLize; Andi Angga on Kapal Josef. The three ships were intercepted by the IDF.

Four of the five are journalists: Abeng and Thoudy are with Republika, Andre with Tempo, and Hery with iNews. And Angga is a humanitarian activist from Rumah Zakat.

In addition to these five, another four Indonesian nationals are believed to be at risk of interception: Herman Budianto and Ronggo Wirasanu on the Kapal Zapyro, Asad Aras Muhammad and Hendro Prasetyo on the Kapal Karsl.

Yusril Ihza Mahendra, the Coordinating Minister for Legal, Human Rights, Immigration and Corrections (Kumham-Imipas), expressed deep concern over the incident affecting the Indonesian citizens, particularly the journalists on humanitarian missions. He said the government is still struggling to establish contact with the detained individuals. Nevertheless, the Foreign Ministry (Kemlu) remains actively pursuing steps to secure their release.

‘To date, we understand that it is difficult to contact two [nine] of them, but the Foreign Ministry has taken proactive steps to locate and release them,’ Yusril said at Surabaya’s State University (Unesa) on Tuesday (19/5).

Yusril emphasised that the lack of diplomatic relations between Indonesia and Israel makes direct negotiations impossible, which presents a major challenge for the government in securing a swift resolution. As a solution, he said, Indonesia will maximise international diplomatic channels, engaging third countries and international bodies to provide legal protection and to rescue the detained Indonesians.

‘But of course we will pursue diplomatic and legal avenues through third countries and international bodies to protect our citizens who have been abducted by the Israeli army,’ he added.