Singgih Wiryono, Jakarta – Amnesty International Indonesia Executive Director Usman Hamid says that the Israeli military's arrest of Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) 2.0 volunteers violates human rights.
"The repressive interception and arrest by the Israeli military in international waters of nine Indonesian citizens and hundreds of international volunteers on a humanitarian mission to Gaza clearly violates human rights", he said in a written statement on Thursday May 21.
According to Hamid, the Israeli military's arrest of unarmed civilians on a humanitarian mission with peaceful objectives is a form of arrogance. This is also a blatant violation of international humanitarian law.
"The freedom to provide aid to those who are oppressed is a fundamental right that should be protected everywhere and by every country", he said.
Hamid stated that this incident also serves as clear evidence of the failure of the international community to take firm action against Israel.
"Unfortunately, this failure also includes countries that have been vocal about the oppression in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including Indonesia", he said.
According to Hamid, the Indonesian government's inaction in taking concrete action regarding the genocide in Gaza, which so far has often been limited to rhetoric and symbolic gestures, blatantly ignores Indonesia's legal and moral responsibility to the people of Gaza.
"Staying passive while the genocide in Gaza continues is a form of condoning crimes against humanity", he said.
Therefore, he urged the Indonesian government to go beyond merely condemning the arrest and calling for the release of the nine Indonesian citizens by Israel.
"Indonesia must also immediately take concrete steps to stop the genocide committed by Israel against the Palestinian people in Gaza", he said.
On Wednesday May 20, all nine Indonesian citizens who sailed on the GSF 2.0 humanitarian mission were arrested by the Israeli military.
The nine Indonesian citizens are:
1. Andi Angga Prasadewa on the Josef
2. Rahendro Herubowo on the Ozgurluk
3. Andre Prasetyo Nugroho on the Ozgurluk
4. Thoudy Badai on the Ozgurluk
5. Bambang Noroyono (Abeng) on the BoraLize
6. Herman Budianto Sudarsono on the Zapyro
7. Ronggo Wirasanu on the Zapyro
8. Asad Aras Muhammad on the Kasr-1
9. Hendro Prasetyo on the Kasr-1
Indonesian Foreign Minister Sugiono has stated that the incident was not a case of kidnapping or hostage-taking.
According to Sugiono, what actually happened was that the Indonesian citizens boarded a ship carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza, Palestine. Then, midway through the journey, the ship was intercepted by Israeli forces.
"This is a case of a ship carrying humanitarian aid being intercepted because Israel forbids any ship from entering the territory for any purpose", he added in Senayan (as the parliament is known) on Wednesday.
Sugiono is sure that the Indonesian citizens already understood the risks they would face when they departed. However, Sugiono still appreciates their intention to help alleviate the suffering in Gaza.
Minister of Law Supratman Andi Agtas gave assurances that the state will be responsible for the safety of the Indonesian citizens arrested by the Israeli military. "Believe me, the state is definitely present and responsible for the safety of our citizens abroad", said Agtas.
- The Amnesty International Indonesia statement in Bahasa can be read here: https://www.amnesty.id/kabar-terbaru/siaran-pers/pemerintah-harus-tunjukkan-upaya-konkret-bebaskan-relawan-kemanusiaan-indonesia-yang-ditangkap-israel/05/2026/
[Translated by James Balowski. The original title of the article was "Amnesty International: Penangkapan Relawan Global Sumud Flotilla oleh Israel Melanggar HAM".]
