There Are 3,656 Indonesian Citizens In The Middle East, The Indonesian Embassy In A Number Of Countries Set Alert Status And Prepare A Contingency Plan

JAKARTA - The Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs through the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia (KBRI) in a number of Middle Eastern countries has set a standby status and prepared a contingency plan, along with developments in the situation in the Gaza Strip, Palestine.

Director of Protection for Indonesian Citizens (WNI) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Judha Nugraha said conflict in Gaza has the potential for escalation at several points. Therefore, according to the SOP, there is a contingency plan built by each representative in the Middle East, in anticipation of an escalation that endangers Indonesian citizens. "Currently, the Indonesian Embassy in Amman (Yordania) has set the territory of Israel and Palestine on standby 1, the Indonesian Embassy in Tehran (Iran) has set Tehran on standby 2, the Indonesian Embassy in Beirut has set Lebanon south on alert 1, for other Lebanese regions including Beirut Alert 2," Judha said in a press statement in Jakarta, May 29.

"For the position of Indonesian citizens, the number of Indonesian citizens in Israel is 130 Indonesian citizens, in Gaza 8 Indonesian citizens, Syria 2,361 Indonesian citizens, Lebanon 217 Indonesian citizens, Iran 387 Indonesian citizens and Iraq 553 Indonesian citizens," said Judha.

He added that this was data from Indonesian citizens recorded by the Indonesian Embassy and there was a possibility that Indonesian citizens did not report themselves in these countries.

Judha added, in the context of protection, all representatives in the Middle East have made preparations.

"We never expected the contingency plan to be used, but as an SOP, all representatives already have contingency plans," said Judha.

"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has specifically held a meeting with representatives to hold coordination, anticipating an escalation of further situations that endanger our citizens," he added.

The war in Gaza, which has entered its 236nd day, has yet to show signs of easing, as Israel expands its military operations to Rafah, despite criticism from the international community and an order by the International Court (ICJ) to stop operations in Rafah last week.

"Indonesia from the start has asked countries in the Middle East and other actors who have influence on security situations in the Middle East, to avoid escalation and expansion of the conflict," said the spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Lalu M. Iqbal.

"This is what Indonesia has always conveyed in various meetings, avoiding escalation and expansion of conflicts that occur in Gaza," he added.