Indonesia’s diplomacy appears uncertain in dealing with Israel, even when its citizens are detained during a humanitarian mission.
THE Indonesian government responded awkwardly to the interception of the Global Sumud Flotilla 2.0 humanitarian convoy by Israeli forces in international waters. Instead of immediately asserting a diplomatic position in favor of civilian protection, the government briefly fell into a narrative that normalized Israel’s military action.
Foreign Minister Sugiono’s statement on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, was the clearest example. He said Israel’s action was not kidnapping or hostage-taking, but merely the interception of humanitarian aid. The statement reflected the government’s failure to grasp the political and international legal dimensions of the incident.
More than 50 boats in the Global Sumud Flotilla were carrying food, medicine, and volunteers to Gaza when they were intercepted by Israeli forces in the Eastern Mediterranean on Monday, May 18. Hundreds of volunteers were detained, including nine Indonesian citizens. One of them was Tempo TV journalist Andre Prasetyo Nugroho.
When Indonesian citizens were detained in an Israeli military operation in international waters, the government should place the protection of its citizens as the top priority. Moreover, several video recordings showed Israeli forces boarding civilian vessels and pointing weapons at unarmed volunteers.
Indeed, a day later, Sugiono corrected his statement and condemned Israel’s action as inhumane. But the correction had already exposed the government’s weak diplomatic preparedness in responding to a politically and humanely sensitive crisis. The awkwardness may not merely reflect a communication problem, but also the current dilemma of Indonesia’s foreign policy.
The government’s hesitation may be linked to Indonesia’s position in the Board of Peace (BOP), a forum established by United States President Donald Trump and also joined by Israel. Since joining the council, the government has appeared increasingly cautious in maintaining its diplomatic posture, including on the Gaza issue.
The problem is that such caution has instead made Indonesia appear uncertain when dealing with Israel’s actions against its own citizens. In fact, if membership in the BOP provides direct communication channels with the United States and Israel, that position should become a strategic diplomatic instrument, not something that restrains the government.
The Gaza conflict is now not only an armed war, but also a battle for international support. The countries heard by the world are not merely those issuing the loudest condemnations, but those capable of turning moral criticism into concrete and consistent diplomatic pressure. Indonesia actually has the political capital to play that role.
Therefore, the government’s response should not stop at verbal statements. Indonesia needs to use all diplomatic channels, including its position in the BOP, to push for the opening of humanitarian access and guarantee the protection of civilians in Gaza.
President Prabowo Subianto should take a clearer role in this situation. Diplomacy is not measured by the harshness of condemnation, but by a country’s ability to use its influence and strategic position—especially when its own citizens face threats.
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