Persis Condemns Israel’s Assault on Global Sumud Activists and Journalists Aboard Ship

As many as 16 Indonesian nationals were found dead after drowning in the waters off a neighbouring country. The Central Leadership (PP) of the Islamic Association (Persis) strongly condemned the brutal and arbitrary actions carried out by the Israeli military (IDF) against humanitarian workers and journalists. Israeli forces were reported to have intercepted and forcibly detained volunteers who were distributing humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip.

The incident drew sharp scrutiny after videos of the interception of the Global Sumud volunteers’ boat went viral on social media on Monday (18 May 2026). In the recording, Israeli forces were seen using boats to surround the flotilla of volunteers as they attempted to breach the blockade to reach Gaza. It is known that there were Indonesian nationals among the volunteers from 54 countries aboard nine ships in the mission.

Ihsan Setiadi Latief, Head of Communications at Persis PP, emphasised that the assault on humanitarian workers and journalists constitutes a serious violation of the Geneva Conventions. “This is not merely an attack on individuals, but a systematic attempt to blind the world to the reality on the ground and cut the lifeline of aid for civilians in distress,” Ihsan said in a statement on Tuesday (19 May 2026).

According to Persis PP, the seizure of journalists’ equipment and the detention of volunteers without clear legal grounds is a form of silencing press freedom. Under International Humanitarian Law, journalists in conflict areas must be protected as civilians, while hindering humanitarian aid is classified as a war crime.

Persis PP also calls on civil society, global press organisations, and humanitarian bodies worldwide to unite. Global solidarity is required to reject any form of impunity for the violence against the humanitarian mission. “We urge the world to voice solidarity and reject any form of impunity for this violence,” declared Ihsan.” (I-2)