Nine Indonesian citizens (WNI) who were detained by Israeli forces have safely returned to their homeland, arriving at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Tangerang, Banten, on Sunday afternoon (May 24). The group, who had been participating in the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) 2.0 aid mission, endured an arduous journey to secure their release from detention.
The return was facilitated by the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs as part of its ongoing commitment to protecting Indonesian citizens abroad. The journey home began on Saturday (May 23) when the nine individuals departed on an Emirates flight from Istanbul to Dubai at 7:35 PM local time. They continued their journey on a connecting flight from Dubai to Jakarta, finally touching down in Indonesia at 3:30 PM WIB on Sunday.
Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sugiono, was present at the airport to personally welcome the returnees. During a press conference at the scene, he expressed his deep appreciation to all the organizations and institutions involved in securing their freedom.
“Today, we welcome back our fellow humanitarian activists who were held by the Israeli military. I am relieved to confirm that they have returned in good health and are safe,” Minister Sugiono stated during the arrival proceedings.
The government prioritized the safety and well-being of the volunteers throughout the ordeal. Minister Sugiono noted that the release was the result of intense coordination and negotiations conducted by the Indonesian government with several international entities.
“I would like to extend my gratitude to the President and the House of Representatives (DPR RI) for their unwavering support. We also acknowledge the invaluable cooperation of the governments of Turkey, Jordan, and Egypt for their assistance in the repatriation process,” he added.
During the press briefing, the Minister took a firm stance, strongly condemning the violence perpetrated by Israeli personnel during the interception of the GSF 2.0 convoy. He described the treatment of the humanitarian volunteers, including the alleged abuse of the Indonesian citizens during their abduction, as inhumane and a clear violation of international law and humanitarian principles.
“Indonesia once again condemns the actions taken by Israel against our citizens. This is a blatant violation of international law, especially considering that these were civilians dedicated to delivering humanitarian aid to our brothers and sisters in Palestine,” the Minister emphasized.
Prior to their arrival in Indonesia, all GSF volunteers from various nations were released from Israeli custody and deported to Turkey. Upon arriving in Istanbul, the nine Indonesian nationals underwent thorough health and security screenings before boarding their final flight to Jakarta.
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Summary
Nine Indonesian citizens who participated in the Global Sumud Flotilla 2.0 aid mission have safely returned to Indonesia after being detained by Israeli forces. Their repatriation was successfully coordinated by the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs with support from Turkey, Jordan, and Egypt. Foreign Minister Sugiono personally welcomed the volunteers at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, confirming that all nine individuals are in good health.
The Indonesian government has formally condemned the Israeli military’s interception of the humanitarian convoy, labeling the treatment of the volunteers as a clear violation of international law and humanitarian principles. Officials emphasized that the detainees were civilians dedicated solely to delivering aid to Palestine. Following their release and deportation to Turkey, the volunteers underwent health screenings before their final journey home.
