JAKARTA - The Presidential Chief of Staff, General TNI (Ret.) Dudung Abdurachman, said the government approached local authorities to ensure access to the return of nine Indonesian citizens (WNI) who took part in the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) to Gaza, Palestine.
Presidential Chief of Staff Dudung said there were five Indonesian citizens who were detained by the Israeli military and four others who were still on different ships in the eastern Mediterranean waters.
"The situation on the ground is still very dynamic, the four Indonesian citizens who are still sailing are still in a vulnerable condition," said Dudung as quoted by ANTARA, Tuesday, May 19.
He explained that the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) had made initial coordination with the Indonesian Embassy (KBRI) in Turkey, Egypt, Italy, and Jordan as a precautionary measure for the issuance of a Provisional Travel Document (SPLP) if the passport is confiscated and medical support if needed.
"Furthermore, the Indonesian representative also approached the local authorities to ensure that the transit access and the repatriation process of Indonesian citizens can run without immigration obstacles," said Dudung.
The Indonesian government 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 GSF.
He ensured that the Indonesian representative was always on standby to immediately follow up on the notification and coordinate with local authorities.
Previously, Israeli forces were reported to have intercepted at least 40 of the 54 ships that took part in the GSF humanitarian shipping convoy until Tuesday (19/5).
The Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs itself today confirmed that five Indonesian citizens were arrested by Israeli forces who ambushed the ships in the humanitarian convoy.
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