Yusril Admits Indonesia Struggles to Trace 5 Indonesian Citizens Kidnapped by Israel: No Diplomatic Relations
Indonesia’s government says it is experiencing difficulties tracing the whereabouts of five Indonesian nationals abducted by the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) while taking part in the Global Peace Convoy Indonesia (GPCI) on the Global Sumud Flotilla 2026 to Gaza, Palestine. The obstacle stems from Indonesia not having formal diplomatic relations with Israel.
Five Indonesian nationals were abducted by the IDF in international waters during the humanitarian mission.
The Coordinating Minister for Law, Human Rights, Immigration and Corrections, Yusril Ihza Mahendra, expressed deep concern over the incident affecting Indonesian citizens, particularly journalists.
“The government is very concerned and regrets what the Israeli Defence Forces did to Indonesian citizens, especially journalists who crossed international waters to carry out humanitarian activities helping victims of the Gaza conflict,” Yusril said when met at Surabaya State University (Unesa) on Tuesday (19/5).
Yusril revealed that the government has so far found it difficult to establish contact with the detained Indonesians. Nevertheless, the Foreign Ministry continues to actively take steps to secure their release.
“And to this day, we know that it remains difficult to contact the two [nine] people, but the Foreign Ministry has taken proactive steps to locate and free them,” he said.
Furthermore, Yusril emphasised that the lack of diplomatic relations between Indonesia and Israel makes direct negotiations impossible. This situation is the biggest challenge for the government in rapid handling.
“And this is not easy because we do not have diplomatic relations with Israel; we cannot negotiate directly with the Israeli side,” he added.
As a solution, Yusril said Indonesia will maximise international diplomatic channels. He noted that they will engage third countries and international bodies to provide legal protection and to rescue the abducted Indonesians.
“But we will of course take diplomatic measures and legal avenues through third countries and international bodies to protect our citizens abducted by the Israeli army,” he concluded.
Five Indonesian nationals who travelled on the humanitarian mission Global Peace Convoy Indonesia (GPCI) on the Global Sumud Flotilla 2026 to Gaza were abducted by the Israeli military (IDF).
Four of the five are journalists: two Republika journalists Bambang Noroyono alias Abeng and Thoudy Badai; Tempo journalist Andre Prasetyo Nugroho; and another journalist from GPCI, Rahendro Herubowo.