The Indonesian Presidential Chief of Staff (KSP), Dudung Abdurachman, has announced that he is actively coordinating with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to address the recent interception of Indonesian citizens (WNI) involved in the Global Sumud Flotilla 2.0 humanitarian mission. The group was detained by the Israeli Navy while sailing toward Gaza, Palestine, on Monday, May 18.
Dudung confirmed that the government is currently pursuing a diplomatic resolution to ensure the safety and release of those involved. “I have communicated with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to immediately initiate a diplomatic approach,” Dudung stated during a press briefing on Tuesday, May 19.
As of now, the exact status and location of all nine Indonesian citizens remain uncertain. According to the latest reports, five individuals have been detained, while the whereabouts of the remaining four have yet to be confirmed. “We cannot yet confirm the current positions of all nine individuals. Five are reported to be in custody, while four others are still scattered in various locations,” Dudung added.
The Global Sumud Flotilla was intercepted while in international waters, approximately 310 nautical miles from the Gaza coast. The group included several Indonesian journalists, among them Bambang Noroyono and Thoudy Badai Rifan Billah from Republika, who were reporting on the humanitarian effort.
The list of the nine Indonesian citizens intercepted by Israel includes:
- Bambang Noroyono (Republika)
- Thoudy Badai Rifan Billah (Republika)
- Andre Prasetyo Nugroho (Tempo TV)
- Herman Budianto Sudarsono (GPCI – Dompet Dhuafa)
- Ronggo Wirasanu (GPCI – Dompet Dhuafa)
- Andi Angga Prasadewa (GPCI – Rumah Zakat)
- Asad Aras Muhammad (GPCI – Spirit of Aqso)
- Hendro Prasetyo (GPCI – SMART 171)
- Rahendro Herubowo (GPCI – iNewsTV)
In the wake of this interception, a coalition of nations—including Indonesia, Turkey, Bangladesh, Brazil, Colombia, Jordan, Libya, the Maldives, Pakistan, and Spain—has issued a strong condemnation of Israel’s actions.
In a joint statement released on Tuesday, May 19, and cited by Antara, the foreign ministers of these countries declared, “These attacks constitute a blatant violation of international law and international humanitarian law.”
Summary
Indonesia’s Presidential Chief of Staff, Dudung Abdurachman, is actively coordinating with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to address the detention of Indonesian citizens by the Israeli Navy. The nine citizens were part of the Global Sumud Flotilla 2.0 humanitarian mission, intercepted in international waters on May 18 while heading to Gaza. The government is pursuing a diplomatic resolution to secure their safety and release.
Currently, five Indonesian citizens are confirmed to be in custody, while the status of the remaining four is uncertain. Among those participating were several journalists and humanitarian workers. A coalition of nations, including Indonesia, has strongly condemned Israel’s actions, stating they constitute a blatant violation of international law.
