Indonesian Foreign Minister: No Contact Yet with Citizens Detained by Israel
Translated from Indonesian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
- Indonesia's Foreign Minister Sugiono confirmed that the government has not yet been able to contact Indonesian citizens detained by Israeli forces.
- The detained Indonesians were part of the Global Sumud Flotilla 2.0 humanitarian mission.
- Indonesia is coordinating with Turkish and Jordanian authorities and urges Israel to release the detained individuals and vessels.
The Indonesian government, through Foreign Minister Sugiono, has expressed deep concern over the detention of nine Indonesian citizens by Israeli forces. These individuals were participating in the Global Sumud Flotilla 2.0, a humanitarian mission aimed at supporting the people of Gaza. Despite ongoing efforts, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has faced significant challenges in establishing direct communication with the detained citizens due to limited contact channels.
So far, the information we have received is still difficult because communication is limited.
Minister Sugiono highlighted that the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs is actively engaged in communication with Turkish and Jordanian authorities to ascertain the condition and safety of the detained Indonesians. While acknowledging the difficulties, the government assures that it is continuously monitoring the situation and coordinating diplomatic efforts. The Minister also conveyed appreciation for the volunteers involved in the flotilla, recognizing their commitment to improving the situation in Palestine. This sentiment is echoed by the party leadership, emphasizing the importance of such initiatives and praying for the safe return of all detained Indonesians.
We are continuously monitoring the situation and coordinating with the authorities of the two countries because we do not have direct relations.
Adding to the complexity, the group includes three national media journalistsโBambang Noroyono and Thoudy Badai from Republika, and Andre Prasetyo Nugroho from Tempoโwho were on assignment. The Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has confirmed that all diplomatic and consular channels are being maximized to ensure the full protection of these citizens. Indonesia strongly urges the Israeli government to immediately release all detained humanitarian mission ships and their crews. This incident underscores the precarious situation faced by humanitarian workers and the ongoing diplomatic challenges in the region, with Indonesia playing a crucial role in advocating for the safety and release of its citizens.
Indonesia urges the Israeli government to immediately release all detained international humanitarian mission ships and their crews.
Originally published by Tempo in Indonesian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.