Indonesia Condemns Israel's Unhumanitarian Actions Against Global Volunteer Sumud Flotilla

JAKARTA - The Indonesian government through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemns Israel's inhumane actions against Global Sumud Flotilla activists who were detained and subjected to arbitrary treatment.

Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir shared a video in a post on the social media X that featured humanitarian activists in the Global Sumud Flotilla being held in a kneeling position on the ground with their heads touching the ground, while their hands were handcuffed behind them.

"Indonesia condemns the inhumane actions against the Global Sumud Flotilla 2.0 volunteers carried out by Israel. This action is contrary to humanitarian principles," the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs wrote in a post on the X social media, Thursday (21/5).

"Indonesia again emphasizes that Israel's military action against the Global Sumud Flotilla fleet and the volunteers who are part of it is a clear violation of international law," said the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

That's how we get the terrorist supporters.

Welcome to Israel 🇮🇱 pic.twitter.com/7Hf8cAg7fC

— איתמר בן גביר (@itamarbengvir) May 20, 2026

The actions of the Israeli right-wing minister also drew criticism from the international community, such as Italy, France, Ireland, Spain, and even its close ally, the United States.

In the country, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar also criticized Ben-Gvir's actions.

As previously reported, Israeli naval commandos intercepted the Global Sumud Flotilla humanitarian convoy that left Turkey last week, with the aim of the Gaza Strip, Palestine, to break through the Israeli naval blockade to provide humanitarian aid.

The interception in Cypriot waters was followed by the arrest of 430 humanitarian activists in the fleet, who were then taken to Israel, as reported by Al Arabiya from AFP.

Spokesperson for the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Yvonne Mewengkang, said in a statement on Wednesday that, according to information from the Global Peace Convoy Indonesia (GPCI), nine Indonesian citizens (WNI) who were part of the mission, were among the activists arrested 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.

"The Indonesian government continues to focus on various efforts to free all Indonesian citizens who were arrested," said the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

"Since the beginning of the departure of the Global Sumud Flotilla fleet, the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Indonesian Representative have carried out close coordination with various parties to ensure the safety and protection of Indonesian citizens," continued the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

"Protection of Indonesian citizens is the top priority. The Indonesian government will continue to monitor the release process until all Indonesian citizens can return safely to their homeland as soon as possible," said the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Before this week's interception, Israeli forces intercepted a second flotilla in international waters off the coast of Greece on April 30 and sent most of the 175 activists to Europe, but arrested two of them, who were held for 10 days before being deported.

Last year, Israeli authorities blocked a similar attempt involving about 50 ships and about 500 activists, including Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg, Nelson Mandela's grandson Mandla Mandela, and several European parliamentarians.