RI Urges Israel to Immediately Release Gaza Humanitarian Mission Crew

JAKARTA - The Presidential Chief of Staff, General TNI (Ret.) Dudung Abdurachman, conveyed that the Indonesian government urged Israel to immediately release all ships and crew of the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) 2.0 international humanitarian mission which is currently being held.

Dudung said the insistence was the result of coordination between the government and the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in responding to the evolving humanitarian situation.

"The Indonesian government urges Israel to immediately release all detained international humanitarian missions and ensure the continuation of the distribution of humanitarian aid to the Palestinian people in accordance with international humanitarian law," said Dudung at the Presidential Staff Office, Presidential Palace Complex, Jakarta, Tuesday, May 19.

He emphasized that the government continued to monitor the development of the situation through Indonesia's diplomatic network abroad. The Indonesian representative is said to have verified the position and condition of Indonesian citizens (WNI) who were at the scene.

According to Dudung, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs through the Indonesian representative is also preparing various necessary protection measures according to the conditions on the ground.

In addition to the national step, Indonesia also joined nine other countries, namely Turkey, Bangladesh, Brazil, Colombia, Jordan, Libya, Maldives, Pakistan, and Spain in a joint statement strongly condemning Israel's attack on international humanitarian missions.

"Indonesia has also joined nine other countries, namely Turkey, Bangladesh, Brazil, Colombia, Jordan, Libya, Maldives, Pakistan, and Spain in a joint statement condemning Israel's attack on the GSF, and the Indonesian representative is always on standby to immediately follow up on the notification and local authorities," said Dudung.

Based on information from the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Kemlu), at least 10 humanitarian mission ships have been detained, including the Amanda, Barbaros, Josef, and Blue Toys. Until now, the ship carrying journalists has not been contacted and the status of the crew on board is not yet known for sure.

The Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs previously stated that it had coordinated with the Indonesian Embassy in Ankara, the Indonesian Embassy in Cairo, and the Indonesian Embassy in Amman to prepare protective measures and accelerate the repatriation of Indonesian citizens if necessary.