TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesia is using all diplomatic channels to secure the release of Indonesian citizens detained by Israel, according to Foreign Affairs Ministry spokesperson Yvonne Mewengkang. The statement was made in response to public inquiries about the possibility of leveraging the Board of Peace to rescue nine Indonesians captured by Israel while en route to Gaza with the Global Sumud Flotilla fleet.
Indonesia cannot make direct communication with Israel due to the absence of diplomatic relations, even through the Board of Peace. Both Indonesia and Israel are members of the Trump-backed peace council.
"We are not engaging directly with Israel. We use, as I mentioned earlier, all available diplomatic channels to protect our citizens," Yvonne said during a press conference in Jakarta on Thursday, May 21, 2026.
Indonesia has been engaging in communication with several friendly countries to rescue the flotilla volunteers, but unable to detail any further on account of "diplomatic principles we must uphold."
The Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) earlier urged the government to leverage its membership in the Board of Peace in this matter. The Chair of the MUI's Ukhuwah Division, Zaitun Rasmin, said this moment could serve as proof of whether any benefits could be reaped from Indonesia's participation in the peace council.
The perceived benefit is the ability to free the nine Indonesian citizens who were abducted by the Israeli military. "We request evidence that the Board of Peace is beneficial," Zaitun said.
Meanwhile, as of Thursday afternoon, all delegations of the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) and Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC) have been released from Israeli military detention, including the nine Indonesian citizens who were previously held at Ktziot Prison, Israel.
The volunteers and crew are now in the process of being deported from Israel, according to the media coordinator of the Global Peace Convoy Indonesia (GPCI), Harfin Naqsyabandy.
"The deportation process from Israeli territory is underway," said Harfin on Thursday, May 21, 2026. The Global Sumud Flotilla volunteers are being deported through Ramon/Eilat Airport to Istanbul, Turkey.
Novali Panji Nugroho contributed to the writing of this article
Read: Indonesia Responds to Alleged Israeli Torture Against Flotilla Volunteers
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