GSF 2.0: Indonesia Confirms Five Citizens Detained By Israeli Military
By Nik Nurfaqih Nik Will
JAKARTA, May 19 (Bernama) -- Indonesia has confirmed that five of its nine citizens participating in the International Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) 2.0 humanitarian mission were detained by the Israeli military near the waters off Cyprus in the eastern Mediterranean.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Yvonne Mewengkang said the remaining four Indonesians, who were aboard two separate vessels, were still sailing near Cypriot waters and remained in a vulnerable situation amid the ongoing developments.
“The situation on the ground remains highly dynamic. The four Indonesians who are still sailing remain in a vulnerable condition and could face interception or detention by the Israeli military at any time,” she said in a video statement on Tuesday.
Yvonne said the Foreign Ministry had coordinated with the Indonesian embassies in Ankara, Cairo, Rome and Amman, as well as the Indonesian Consulate General in Istanbul, to prepare anticipatory measures, including the issuance of temporary travel documents should passports be confiscated and medical assistance if required.
She said Indonesian representatives had also engaged with relevant local authorities to ensure transit access and facilitate the repatriation process for the Indonesians without immigration-related obstacles.
“The Foreign Ministry, through the relevant Indonesian representatives, will continue to monitor developments, verify the whereabouts and condition of the Indonesians, and prepare protection measures as required on the ground,” she said.
Indonesia has also joined nine other countries - Turkiye, Bangladesh, Brazil, Colombia, Jordan, Libya, the Maldives, Pakistan and Spain - in a joint statement strongly condemning Israel’s actions against the GSF mission.
Malaysia has also strongly condemned the interception of the GSF 2.0 mission bound for Gaza and the detention of more than 100 activists, including 16 Malaysians, with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim demanding guarantees for the safety of all activists involved and their immediate release.
-- BERNAMA
