PBNU Urges Ministry of Foreign Affairs to Protect Republika Journalist Detained by Israel
The Chairman of the Religious Affairs Division of the Nahdlat Ulama Supreme Board (PBNU), KH Ahmad Fahrur Rozi, also known as Gus Fahrur, has urged the Indonesian government, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to act proactively in providing protection to all Indonesian citizens participating in the Global Sumud Flotilla humanitarian mission. This includes a Republika journalist who has reportedly been detained by Israeli authorities.
Gus Fahrur made these remarks in response to reports that ships within the Global Sumud Flotailla are being intercepted by Israeli military forces. One Indonesian citizen in the spotlight is Bambang Nuroyono (Abeng), a journalist from Republika who is part of the humanitarian convoy.
“We request the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs to move actively to provide maximum protection to all Indonesian citizens in the Global Sumud Flotilla mission, including the Republika journalist reported to be detained by Israeli authorities. The state is obliged to be present to protect every citizen wherever they may be,” said Gus Fahrur when contacted on Monday.
He noted that protecting citizens abroad is a constitutional obligation of the state, particularly in high-risk situations involving international humanitarian missions and conflict zones. Gus Fahrur also expressed hope that the Indonesian government would take swift and measured diplomatic steps to ensure the safety of all Indonesian nationals in the convoy. He emphasised that the presence of journalists in such missions is vital for conveying humanitarian facts to the international community.
It was previously reported that Israeli forces captured approximately 100 humanitarian activists sailing towards the Gaza Strip in Palestinian waters within international waters. Among those detained by the Israeli military was the Republika journalist, Bambang Nuroyono, who was aboard the ship Moralize.
“If you find this video, please convey to the Government of the Republic of Indonesia that I am currently being kidnapped by Zionist Israeli soldiers. I request that the Government of the Republic of Indonesia frees me from this kidnapping by the Zionist Israeli occupation forces,” said Abeng in an SOS video sent on Monday morning from Turkey.
The release of such SOS videos is a standard protocol for participants of the Global Sumud Flotilla, intended for use if their vessels are intercepted by the IDF and they face potential arrest. The Global Sumud Flotilla coalition stated that Israeli military vessels have begun intercepting the fleet, with reports indicating that Israeli forces boarded the first ship during the day.
Israeli media reported that the detained activists would be taken to the Port of Ashdod, Israel’s largest port, following the completion of the operation. Four Israeli warships were reportedly involved in the operation, ordering all vessels in the fleet to shut down their engines.