MUI Calls on Government to Prove Benefits of Involvement in the Board of Peace (BoP)
The Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) strongly condemned the seizure of the Global Sumud Flotilla delegation by the Israeli military during the voyage delivering humanitarian aid to Gaza, Palestine. MUI’s Department of Brotherhood, led by Zaitun Rasmin, urged the government to prove that Indonesia’s membership of the Board of Peace (BoP) provides real benefits. The benefit in question would be the release of nine Indonesian citizens seized by the Israeli military. ‘We request proof that the Board of Peace is useful,’ said Zaitun at the MUI offices in Jakarta on Thursday, 21 May 2026. He urged the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to harness Indonesia’s membership of the Board of Peace, allegedly established by United States President Donald Trump. Israel, the country that intercepted dozens of Global Sumud Flotilla ships, is also a member of the Board of Peace. Zaitun hopes Foreign Minister Sugiono can leverage communications with seven other Muslim-majority countries to press the United States to order Israel to release all personnel aboard Global Sumud Flotilla 2.0. He also urged President Prabowo Subianto to act swiftly so that the nine Indonesian nationals seized by the Israeli army can be released unharmed. He warned that slow rescue efforts could lead to harsh treatment of the home delegation by Israel. ‘We request a meeting with President Prabowo as soon as possible if this issue is not resolved,’ Zaitun said. The arrests of the nine Indonesians, now held as hostages by the Israeli military, were reported in three separate instances. The first arrest occurred on Monday, 18 May 2026, with five Indonesians captured. They were seized by the Israeli military off the coast of Cyprus aboard three vessels: Bolarize, Ozgurluk, and Josef. On the Bolarize was Republika journalist Bambang Noroyono. On the Ozgurluk were three Indonesians: Tempo TV journalist Andre Prasetyo, Republika photographer Thoudy Badai, and Rahendro Herubowo. The remaining individual was humanitarian activist Andi Angga aboard the Josef. The second arrest was confirmed on Tuesday night at around 19:50 WIB. In this raid, two Indonesians held captive were volunteers from Dompet Dhuafa aboard the Kapal Zapyro: Herman Budianto Sudarsono and Ronggo Wirasanu. The final two Indonesians captured were Asad Aras Muhammad of Spirit of Aqso and Hendro Prasetyo, a volunteer with SMART 171, aboard the Kasr-1. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that all diplomatic channels and consular measures are being maximised to ensure full protection for the Indonesian nationals abducted by Israel. These steps will continue until all Indonesians who form the Global Sumud Flotilla delegation are released.