Nine Indonesians Detained by Israel Return Home

JAKARTA - Nine Indonesian citizens, activists with the Global Sumud Flotilla 2.0 who were previously detained by Israeli military authorities, have returned to Indonesia on Sunday, 24 May 2025. They were greeted by Foreign Minister Sugiono at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport.

“On this afternoon, with heartfelt gratitude to Allah SWT, the Almighty God, we welcome back our fellow citizens who were part of the Global Sumud Flotilla 2.0,” Sugiono said at Soekarno-Hatta Airport in Cengkareng, Tangerang, Banten, on Sunday, 24 May 2026.

He noted that their return was made possible through diplomatic efforts by the Indonesian government.

“Alhamdulillah, with God’s blessing and through various coordination and negotiation efforts, our nine compatriots have safely returned home this afternoon,” Sugiono added.

The Turkish government facilitated the return of the Global Sumud Flotilla volunteers, including the nine Indonesians, by providing aircraft.

“Turkey has deployed three Turkish Airlines flights to ensure the safe repatriation of all non-governmental organisation members from 41 countries participating in the Global Sumud Flotilla,” said Turkish Ambassador to Indonesia Talip Kucukcan in a press statement on Friday, 22 May 2026.

Kucukcan confirmed Turkey’s support for Indonesia’s repatriation process and provision of all necessary facilities, adding that the nine detained Indonesians had safely returned to Turkey and met with the Indonesian Consulate General in Istanbul.