TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The central committee of the Indonesian Press Photo Association (PFI) strongly condemns the Israeli military's interception of the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) 2026 humanitarian mission in international waters and the detention of activists and journalists.
PFI Central Chair Dwi Pambudo stated that the armed interception of this humanitarian ship occurred in the international waters around 300 nautical miles from the coast of Gaza or near the waters of Cyprus. Dwi stated that Israel's actions constitute a serious violation of international law, universal humanitarian principles, and the civil liberties of individuals providing assistance to the people of Palestine in Gaza.
"The PFI declares that the Israeli military's hijacking of the humanitarian ship and the detention of journalists carrying out their journalistic duties is a serious crime. Journalists are not combatants and are protected by the Geneva Conventions," Dwi said in a written statement on May 18, 2026.
The PFI has also urged the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs to take aggressive diplomatic measures to ensure the safety of all Indonesian citizens on board the ship. Dwi demanded that the government ensure their physical safety and consular rights are protected.
"The PFI calls on the entire national press community, and international and national journalist professional organizations, to join forces in pressuring Israel to cease violence against journalists," Dwi added.
The Global Peace Convoy Indonesia received reports of attempted interception by the Israeli military of ships carrying hundreds of humanitarian mission volunteers on Monday afternoon, May 18, 2026. These ships included the delegation from Indonesia participating in the Global Sumud Flotilla mission.
Bambang Noroyono is the only Indonesian citizen on the Boralize ship. On the Ozgurluk ship, there are Thoudy Badai, Andre Prasetyo Nugroho, and Rahendro Herubowo.
Herman Budianto and Ronggo Wirsanu are on the Zefiro ship. According to data as of Monday, May 18, 2026 at 21:20, the ship carrying the two of them was observed to still be sailing and had not been intercepted by the Israeli military.
Herman reported seeing two Israeli warships approaching the ship he was on. "These warships launched boats and pursued our ships," he said in a virtual press conference on Monday, May 18, 2026.
He mentioned that his ship's captain and crew were experienced and managed to maneuver to evade the pursuit of the Israeli military ships amid fluctuating sea conditions. The Zifero ship was able to escape the pursuit by the Israeli military.
He stated that the Zifero ship, which carried two Indonesian delegates, was committed to continuing its voyage to Gaza to fulfill the humanitarian mission for the people of Palestine.
In addition to Herman and Ronggo, there are seven Indonesian citizens participating in the Global Sumud Flotilla. From this list, five individuals are currently being held captive by the Israeli military.
On the Bolarize ship, Republika journalist Bambang Noroyono, along with two Malaysian citizens, are being detained by the Israeli military. On another ship, Ozgurluk, there are three Indonesian citizens who were abducted by the Israeli military during the humanitarian mission to Gaza, Palestine. They include TV Tempo journalist Andre Prasetyo, Republika photojournalist and PFI member Thoudy Badai, and iNews journalist Heru Rahendro.
Another Indonesian citizen, Andi Angga, has also been abducted by the Israeli military during the Global Sumud Flotilla mission. Andi Angga, a humanitarian activist, departed with a group on the Josef ship.
Meanwhile, two Indonesian citizens are still sailing on their respective ships as of Monday night. They are Asad Aras and Hendro Prasetyo on the Kasri Sadabad ship. Additionally, Herman Budianto and Ronggo Wirsanu are still sailing on the Zefiro ship.
This information was confirmed by Harfin Naqsyabandy, the Media Coordinator of the Global Peace Convoy Indonesia. "Five Indonesian delegates have been abducted; four are still sailing," he said at the Dompet Dhuafa building in Jakarta on Monday, May 18, 2026.
Novali Panji Nugroho contributed to the writing of this article.
Read: Indonesian Global Sumud Flotilla Volunteers Recount Chase by Israeli Warships Near Gaza
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