Government Assures Efforts to Free Indonesian Citizens Detained by Israel

Illustration of kidnapping (ANTARA)

JAKARTA - The Coordinating Ministry for Political and Security Affairs (Kemenko Polkam) ensures that the government continues to strive for the safety and release of a number of Indonesian citizens (WNI) who were detained by the Israeli military while participating in the Global Sumud Flotilla 2.0 humanitarian mission to Gaza.

The government's efforts are carried out through diplomatic, legal, and international communication channels involving various parties.

Karo Humas and Data Information of the Coordinating Ministry for Political, Social, and Cultural Affairs, Brigadier General TNI Honi Havana, said the Coordinating Minister for Political Affairs had given serious attention to the incident and ensured that the state was present to protect Indonesian citizens abroad.

"The Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs has given serious attention to the incident of the detention of Indonesian citizens by the Israeli military in the Global Sumud Flotilla 2.0 humanitarian mission and ensured that the country is present and continues to work hard to ensure the safety and release of all Indonesian citizens," Honi said in his statement, Wednesday, May 20.

According to Honi, the government will utilize all available channels to free the Indonesian citizens.

"The government will pursue all available diplomatic, legal, and international communication channels," he said.

He emphasized that this step was a form of the state's commitment to protecting the safety and sovereignty of Indonesian citizens abroad.

"By continuing to prioritize the protection of the safety of Indonesian citizens, press freedom, and humanitarian principles," continued Honi.

The Ministry of Defense also condemned the interception of the Global Sumud Flotilla 2.0 fleet by the Israeli military in Gaza waters. The government, said Honi, encouraged the strengthening of cross-agency coordination and communication with friendly countries and international organizations.

"The Ministry of Law and Human Rights encourages the strengthening of cross-agency coordination, including establishing communication through friendly countries and international organizations," he said.

In addition, the public is urged to remain calm and follow the official information from the government regarding the handling of the case.

Honi added that the government also continues to prioritize the protection of Indonesian citizens in other cases abroad, including efforts to free four Indonesian citizens who were held hostage in Somali waters since the end of April 2026.

"The state will continue to ensure the protection and safety of Indonesian citizens as a top priority," he concluded.