FOZ Urges the Government to Take Emergency Steps to Save 9 Indonesian Citizens Detained by Israel in the Global Sumud Flotilla Mission 

JAKARTA - The Zakat Forum (FOZ) urges the Indonesian government to immediately take emergency diplomatic steps to save nine Indonesian citizens (WNI) who were detained by Israeli forces in the Global Sumud Flotilla 2.0 humanitarian mission to Gaza, Palestine.

FOZ's General Secretary Wildhan Dewayana said the detention of the humanitarian volunteer was not just a common incident, but a serious violation of international humanitarian law and a direct threat to humanitarian aid missions for the people of Gaza.

"Asking the Government of the Republic of Indonesia, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to immediately take emergency, firm, and progressive diplomatic steps in various global forums to ensure the safety and release of these humanitarian activists," said Wildhan in reading the FOZ position statement in Jakarta, Wednesday, May 20.

FOZ noted that the Global Sumud Flotilla 2.0 fleet was followed by 50 humanitarian ships carrying 337 activists and journalists from various countries. Of that number, nine people were delegates from Indonesia consisting of journalists and humanitarian activists.

However, based on information received by FOZ as of May 19, 2026 at 21.02 WIB, Israeli forces intercepted and hijacked 40 humanitarian ships in international waters. More than 100 activists were reported to have been arrested, including nine Indonesian citizens.

"We emphasize that all the forcibly seized medical, food, and logistical assistance are a trust from the Indonesian people," said Wildhan.

According to him, Israel's actions are not only depriving the Palestinians of logistical assistance, but also depriving the Palestinians of their right to life and injuring the solidarity of the world's civil society.

"This repressive action is a direct threat to the humanitarian mission and a clear violation of international humanitarian law," he said.

FOZ also urged the United Nations (UN) and the international community to open safe humanitarian corridors for aid to Gaza.

Continuing, the Global Peace Convoy Indonesia (GPCI) Manager Irvan Nugraha said that the delivery of aid through the sea route in the Global Sumud Flotilla 2.0 mission was carried out because the route was still legally valid internationally in the midst of the tight blockade of Gaza.

"The question always comes from the public, why do all this? You know the risks. Of course, this delivery of aid through the sea route is valid and legal. There is a loophole how civil society is in the middle of restrictions through land routes, there are routes that are valid and legal, namely through international waters protected by international regulations," explained Irvan.

He said the Indonesian delegation in the sea mission consisted of four journalists and five humanitarian activists. Three of them are amils of zakat institutions from Dompet Dhuafa and Rumah Zakat.

According to Irvan, the position of the ship at that time was close to Gaza and it was estimated that it would only take one to two days to arrive. "Because the position of the time on the tracker from the command center will enter Zone 3. Zone 3 is the waters that are close to Gaza," he continued.

Meanwhile, GPCI Director Ahmad Juwaini said the Indonesian government is now beginning to garner diplomatic support from countries that have direct relations with Israel to help free Indonesian citizens.

"Countries that have direct relations with Israel have been contacted by the Indonesian government to lobby or influence Israel to help release Indonesian citizens who are detained," said Juwaini.

He said that the two countries prioritized in diplomatic communication were Jordan and Turkey. In addition, GPCI also opened communication with the Jordanian Embassy, the Egyptian Embassy, and the KJRI Istanbul to anticipate the possibility of the repatriation of Indonesian citizens through the third country.

Not only that, GPCI also partnered with the international law firm Adalah to help pressure the Israeli government to immediately release Indonesian volunteers.

"We also contacted this international lawyer to help influence the Israeli government to issue Indonesian citizens," he concluded.