Hearts of Palestine (HOPE), which is made up of several civil society organisations, groups and individuals, strongly condemns the actions of the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) in intercepting and detaining civilian vessels, kidnapping and holding hostage civilians involved in the Global Sumud Flotilla 2.0 humanitarian mission in international waters of the Eastern Mediterranean.
The Global Sumud Flotilla 2.0 consisted of more than 54 civilian vessels carrying food, baby formula and medicine, as well as international humanitarian volunteers, including medical personnel, eco-builders, teachers, and humanitarian activists. Based on reports from the Flotilla organisers and testimonies from participants, the vessels were intercepted approximately 250 nautical miles from Gaza, in international waters near Cyprus. Several videos showed Israeli commandos boarding the civilian vessels, brandishing weapons, while the passengers raised their hands and offered no resistance.
At least nine Indonesian citizens (WNI) were reportedly kidnapped and held hostage during the interception. Among them are Andi Angga Prasadewa (activist), Rahendro Herubowo, Andre Prasetyo Nugroho (journalist for TV Tempo), Thoudy Badai (journalist for Republika), Bambang Noroyono (journalist for Republika), Herman Budianto Sudarsono (activist), Ronggo Wirasanu (activist), As'ad Aras Muhammad (activist) and Hendro Prasetyo (activist).
Unfortunately, statements by several government officials are considered far from their commitment to the protection and safety of Indonesian citizens, neglecting their fundamental rights such as access to information, and ignoring the spirit of solidarity through providing access to humanitarian aid for the people of Gaza.
On May 20, Foreign Affairs Minister Sugiono emphasised that what the nine Indonesian citizens experienced was not a form of kidnapping or hostage-taking. This statement seemingly normalises the violation of international law committed by the IDF against humanitarian activists. In fact, the arrest of non-combatant civilians on the high seas during a humanitarian mission is a serious matter that cannot be viewed an administrative violation of international travel.
Yet, this situation is not simply a matter of protecting ordinary Indonesian citizens, rather it also concerns alleged serious violations of international humanitarian law, international maritime law and the protection of civilian humanitarian missions. Under international law, civilian vessels operating in international waters enjoy the principle of freedom of navigation as stipulated in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). Intercepting an unarmed civilian vessel on the high seas without a valid legal basis can be categorised as an act against international law.
Furthermore, the Geneva Convention IV of 1949 affirms the obligation of the occupying state to guarantee access to humanitarian aid for the civilian population. The blockade and obstruction of humanitarian aid to the residents of Gaza, who are facing a prolonged humanitarian crisis, potentially violates the basic principles of international humanitarian law, including the principles of protection of civilians and humanitarian access. The detention of civilian journalists carrying out their reporting duties also raises serious concerns regarding the protection of press freedom and the safety of journalists in armed conflict.
As a country that frequently claims support for Palestinian independence, Indonesia should begin taking more assertive, proactive and measured steps, rather than simply repeating diplomatic statements from previous similar incidents. Moreover, Indonesia currently holds a strategic position as president of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC), which provides a stronger moral and political mandate to mobilise an international response to violations of human rights and international humanitarian law.
In connection with the matters explained above, we demand that:
1. The Indonesian government urges the Israeli authorities to immediately and unconditionally release all civilians, including nine Indonesian citizens, as well as all ships, humanitarian aid and the crew of the Global Sumud Flotilla 2.0 detained in international waters.
2. The Indonesian government goes beyond a purely consular approach by taking more assertive multilateral diplomatic steps, including formally bringing this case to the UN Human Rights Council, the UN General Assembly, and international mechanisms related to the protection of civilians and access to humanitarian aid.
3. The Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs and all officials in the Republic of Indonesia to retract their statements, thereby minimizing the problems and risks to the lives of the kidnapped Indonesian citizens and hostages.
4. The Indonesian government firmly states that the actions taken by the Israeli authorities clearly constitute kidnapping and hostage-taking, accompanied by allegations of torture.
The humanitarian crisis in Gaza cannot be separated from the international community's responsibility to ensure the protection of civilians and access to humanitarian aid. Allowing the interception of civilian vessels and the detention of humanitarian workers in international waters will only reinforce impunity and worsen the humanitarian situation that has persisted for months.
Jakarta, May 21, 2026
Hearts of Palestine (HOPE)
Note: The Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation (LBH Indonesia) is part of HOPE.
[Translated by James Balowski. The original title of the article was "Misi Kemanusiaan Bukan Kejahatan: Bebaskan WNI Global Sumud Flotilla 2.0!".]
