Deputy Speaker of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) Hidayat Nur Wahid (HNW) considers the detention of humanitarian volunteers and international journalists, including Indonesian citizens, by Israel during an aid mission to Gaza to be a clear violation of international law and human rights.
HNW said the detention of hundreds of civilian activists in the Global Shumud Flotilla II mission occurred in international waters, so there is no legal basis for Israeli authority.
"The kidnapping of 332 volunteers by Israeli forces occurred in international waters, not in waters under Israeli authority. Of course, this is a clear violation of international law," HNW said in his statement.
He made the statement during a meeting with representatives of the Global Peace Convoy Indonesia (GPCI) at the Parliament Complex, Jakarta, Wednesday.
HNW considered Israel's actions as part of the continuing humanitarian violations against civilians and volunteers carrying aid to Gaza.
"In principle, I strongly reject and am concerned about the continuing crimes against humanity by Israel and its Zionist forces who have again arrested or kidnapped hundreds of civilian activists who are not carrying weapons, but humanitarian aid," he said.
HNW also called on the government to strengthen international diplomacy through the United Nations (UN), the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), and other global forums to release the four detained Indonesian journalists and one volunteer.
"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs must immediately take more concrete and effective action with the UN and the OIC, because the state is constitutionally obligated to protect all Indonesian citizens," he said.
According to HNW, Indonesia's position as Chair of the UN Human Rights Council should be used to strengthen international pressure on Israel regarding the protection of humanitarian volunteers and journalists.
He also highlighted the high number of journalist victims in the Gaza conflict. Citing data from the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), HNW said more than 260 journalists and media workers have been killed since October 2023.
"Israel is indeed targeting journalists because they do not want the crimes against humanity, including the genocide they committed against Gaza, to be known to the world," he said.
During the meeting, the Chairman of the Dompet Dhuafa Foundation, Ahmad Juwaini, hoped that the Indonesian government would immediately assist in the release of the detained Indonesian delegation.
"We hope that through Mr. Hidayat Nur Wahid, this message can be conveyed to the Indonesian government to help release the Indonesian delegation as soon as possible," he said.
Previously, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that nine Indonesian citizens who were taking part in the Global Sumud Flotilla humanitarian convoy to the Gaza Strip were detained by Israeli forces.
