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TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Foreign Minister Sugiono's dismissal over the term "abduction," referring to the capture of Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) volunteers by Israel, has sparked discourse. Sugiono is criticized, as the statement was conveyed amidst efforts to rescue nine Indonesian citizens detained by Israel.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Yvonne Mewengkang said the ministry acknowledges public concern regarding the use of specific terms, including "abduction" or "hostage-taking," in regards to Israel's action.
"We understand this, but we need to emphasize that the government's focus at the moment is to ensure the safety of our friends there," said Yvonne during a press conference in Jakarta on Thursday, May 21, 2026.
Nevertheless, Yvonne skirted out of detailing the difference between "abduction," "hostage-taking," and "detention," as previously used by Minister Sugiono. She only emphasized that the government strongly condemns the detention of the Gaza humanitarian aid volunteers.
"If asked whether the Foreign Ministry approves of this detention, of course, the Indonesian government, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, strongly condemns this incident," she said.
Minister Sugiono previously believed that Israeli military capture against the Flotilla fleet off Cyprus in the Mediterranean Sea, did not constitute an abduction. According to him, Israel intercepted the ships with around 450 GSF volunteers aboard since they were seeking to break the siege imposed on Gaza, something Israel were firm to prohibit since the beginning.
"This is not a case of abduction or hostage-taking. This is a case of humanitarian vessels being intercepted because they (Israel) prohibited it," Sugiono said on Wednesday. "Israel prohibits any ship from entering that area for any purpose."
Sugiono's assessment is based on a similar incident on October 1, 2025, when Israel detained the Global Sumud Flotilla 1.0 humanitarian aid convoy in the Mediterranean waters. At that time, the volunteers were questioned by the Israeli military and then deported to their respective countries of origin.
Sugiono has not been able to confirm how long the process will take for Israel to repatriate the detainees. He claimed that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has requested assistance from the authorities of Jordan, Turkey, and Egypt to monitor the conditions of the Indonesian nationals detained by Israel.
"(The release process) depends on the numbers, if I'm not mistaken, this one involves quite a large number, I don't know physically because communication is also limited, that is why we asked for coordination with our friends," he said.
Dian Rahma Fika contributed to the writing of this article
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