Indonesian Journalist of the Gaza Flotilla Sends Emergency Message after Being Kidnapped by Israel

JAKARTA - A group of Indonesian citizens (WNI) who are part of the humanitarian mission of the flotilla to the Gaza Strip were reportedly intercepted by Israeli forces in international waters. In the group there were nine Indonesian volunteers, including a number of journalists from national media.

The Editor-in-Chief of Republika, Andi Muhyiddin, said that two of his media journalists took part in the mission, namely Bambang Noroyono and Thoudy Badai.

"We strongly condemn the interception action taken by the Israeli Zionist military against the Global Sumud Flotilla humanitarian mission ship in international waters," Andi Muhyiddin said in an official statement, Monday, May 18.

According to Andi, the safety of Indonesian volunteers and journalists is a serious concern for his party. He explained that Indonesian volunteers departed on a humanitarian solidarity mission by bringing logistical aid for the Palestinians in Gaza. Meanwhile, the journalists carried out journalistic duties as well as humanitarian missions.

"The actions of the Zionist state of Israel against the volunteers and journalists are a serious violation of international law, universal humanitarian principles, and the civil liberties of the world's citizens who are bringing aid to the Palestinian people in Gaza," he said.

Andi also emphasized that his party rejected all forms of criminalization of humanitarian missions in international waters. "We stand together with the world's humanitarian volunteers, and we reject all forms of criminalization of humanitarian missions in international waters," he said.

Regarding this incident, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Kemenlu) was said to have been asked for information regarding the alleged kidnapping of Indonesian volunteers and journalists by Israeli forces. His party also showed a video showing one of his reporters, Bambang Noroyono, after their ship was intercepted.

In the video uploaded via Instagram, Bambang was seen holding an Indonesian passport while delivering a request for assistance to the Indonesian government. "If you find this video, please convey it to the Government of the Republic of Indonesia, I am currently in the kidnapping of Israeli soldiers," said Bambang Noroyono in the video.

"I ask the Government of the Republic of Indonesia to free me from the kidnapping of the Israeli Zionist soldiers," he continued.

According to information, Israeli forces intercepted the Global Sumud Flotilla fleet on Monday morning Turkish time in the waters of Cyprus, about 200 nautical miles from Gaza. Bambang Noroyono along with other journalists and volunteers were known to be on board the "Boralize" ship when the fleet was intercepted by Israeli forces.