TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Chair of the Press Council, Komaruddin Hidayat, urged the Indonesian government to use diplomatic channels to free journalists and other Indonesian citizens who were captured by the Israeli military in the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) 2.0.
The Israeli Navy intercepted and captured the crew and personnel of the Global Sumud Flotilla 2.0, an international civil society coalition, who were attempting to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza, Palestine, on Monday, May 18, 2026.
"The Press Council urges the Indonesian government to use its diplomatic channels to free journalists and other Indonesian civilians who were captured by the Israeli military, including assisting in their repatriation to Indonesia," said Komaruddin Hidayat in a written statement on May 19, 2026.
The Press Council also condemns the actions of the Israeli military in intercepting and capturing Indonesian journalists along with other civilian personnel in international waters while en route to Gaza, Palestine.
Among the convoy of the Global Sumud Flotilla 2.0 were nine Indonesian citizens who were part of the Global Peace Convoy Indonesia (GPCI). Three of them were journalists, Bambang Noroyono and Thoudy Badai Rifan Billah from Republika; Andre Prasetyo Nugroho from Tempo TV. Also, there were contributors from CNN, BeritaSatu, and Inews TV, Rahendro Herubowo.
On Thursday, May 14, 2026, the Global Sumud fleet departed from Marmaris, Turkey. The fleet consisted of 54 ships carrying food and medical aid, with crew members from around 70 countries. The fleet entered international waters approximately 310 nautical miles from Gaza before being captured by the Israeli military.
Komaruddin stated that the Press Council has been in communication with the chief editors of Republika and Tempo TV to stay updated on this incident. Both media outlets have received confirmed information regarding the capture of their journalists on Monday night, Jakarta time.
Meanwhile, the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been coordinating with several Indonesian Embassies in various countries to prepare anticipatory measures.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson, Yvonne Mewengkang, stated that the Ministry has requested the Indonesian Embassies in Ankara, Cairo, Rome, Amman, and the Indonesian Consulate General in Istanbul to prepare anticipatory measures such as issuing Emergency Travel Documents (ETD) if the passports of the Indonesian citizens are confiscated, as well as providing medical support if needed.
Yvonne mentioned that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will continue to monitor the situation through the Indonesian representatives. They will verify the positions and conditions of Indonesian citizens and prepare protective measures according to the needs on the ground.
Read: Indonesian Embassy Prepares Aid for Citizens Detained by Israel
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