Five Indonesian Citizens Arrested by the Israeli Military, the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Coordinates and Prepares Anticipatory Steps

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has coordinated with the Indonesian Republic's representatives and local authorities to prepare anticipatory steps, following the arrest of Indonesian citizens (WNI) who took part in the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) by the Israeli military in Cypriot waters.

"Information as of this morning, from the nine Indonesian citizens who are part of the Global Peace Convoy Indonesia (GPCI), five people were reported to have been arrested by the Israeli military in Cypriot waters. Meanwhile, four Indonesian citizens on two different ships are still sailing around Cypriot waters," said I Spokesperson for the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Yvonne Mewengkang, Tuesday (19/5).

"The four Indonesian citizens who are still sailing remain vulnerable and can be intercepted or arrested by the Israeli military at any time," added Yvonne.

Furthermore, the diplomat who served at the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Indonesia to the United Nations in New York from 2013 to 2016 revealed that his party "coordinated with the Indonesian Embassy in Ankara, the Indonesian Embassy in Cairo, the Indonesian Embassy in Rome, the Indonesian Embassy in Amman and the Indonesian Consulate General in Istanbul, including preparing anticipatory measures such as issuing a Provisional Travel Letter of Passport if the Indonesian passport is confiscated, as well as medical support if needed."

"The Indonesian representative also approached the local authorities to ensure that the transit access and the repatriation process of Indonesian citizens could proceed without obstacles to Indonesia," said Yvonne.

"The Indonesian representative is always in a standby position to follow up on notifications from local authorities," he said.

Israel's military intercepted a flotilla of aid bound for the Gaza Strip on Monday after sailing from Turkey last week, with organizers saying one of the ships was stopped off the coast of Cyprus.

"Military ships are currently intercepting our fleet and IDF forces are currently boarding our first ship in broad daylight," Global Sumud Flotilla wrote on X, Al Arabiya reported from AFP.

The latest Global Sumud fleet is the third initiative in a year aimed at breaking Israel's blockade of Gaza, which has suffered severe shortages of food, water, medicine and fuel since the Israel-Hamas war broke out in October 2023.

The fleet, consisting of 50 ships, sailed from Turkey on Thursday last week. Previously, a similar fleet was intercepted by Israel last month. Last year, a similar fleet was also intercepted by Israel.

GPCI itself in its official statement last week said that the nine Indonesian citizens who were part of this humanitarian mission were, Ust. Herman Budianto Sudarsono and Ronggo Wirasanu on the Zapyro ship, Andi Angga Prasadewa on the Josef ship, As'ad Aras Muhammad on the Kasr-1 ship, Hendro Prasetyo on the Kasr-1 ship, Bambang Noroyono on the BoraLize ship, Thoudy Badai Rifan Billah on the Ozgurluk ship, Andre Prasetyo Nugroho on the RIM ship, and Rahendro Herubowo on the Ozgurluk ship.

On the other hand, Israel on Monday vowed to block the ships in the fleet, the Israeli authorities denied claims of a lack of aid, saying that the Palestinian territory was "flooded" with supplies.

The Times of Israel reported that the Israeli Navy had intercepted the humanitarian mission with Israeli naval commandos boarding the first ship in the waters off Cyprus. At least 16 ships were reportedly intercepted as of Monday afternoon.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised the Israeli Navy's move to intercept the ships of the Global North Sumut Flotilla on Monday.

Yvonne emphasized that the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs "urges Israel to release all detained international humanitarian missions and to ensure the continuation of the distribution of humanitarian aid to the Palestinian people in accordance with international humanitarian law."

"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, through the Indonesian Representative, will continue to monitor the development of the situation, verify the position and condition of the wni, and prepare protection measures as needed in the field," concluded Yvonne.