Maimon Herawati, the Global Steering Council Coordinator for Global Peace Convoy Indonesia (GPCI), has confirmed that volunteers from the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) were subjected to violence while being detained by Israeli forces. This confirmation follows the circulation of a disturbing video posted by Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir.
The footage depicts a group of captives being held by Israeli soldiers. In one harrowing moment, a woman who shouts “Free Palestine” is forcibly grabbed by the hair and pushed to the ground. The video also shows Ben-Gvir inspecting the detainees as they are held in custody.
Speaking virtually from Turkey during a GPCI press conference in Jakarta on Wednesday (May 20), Maimon confirmed that the individuals in the video were indeed humanitarian volunteers who were apprehended during their recent mission to Gaza. She noted that she recognized one of the people featured in the footage.
“The violence captured in the video is real. One of the women who shouted ‘Free Palestine’ had her hair pulled and her head forced downward; she is a friend of mine from Ireland,” Maimon stated. Despite recognizing her colleague, Maimon admitted that it is difficult to identify the other detainees because their faces are largely obscured.
“Beyond the woman I identified, we have not been able to confirm the identities of the others, with the exception of one Italian politician,” she added. Reflecting on the treatment of the volunteers, she condemned the actions of the Israeli authorities, stating, “The question of whether this violence occurred is clear—it happened because that is how Israel operates. We must acknowledge that these humanitarian volunteers are being mistreated by those who act against humanity.”
The situation remains critical for the nine Indonesian citizens (WNI) who are among those detained. Maimon expressed deep concern regarding their status, admitting that she cannot currently verify their safety or confirm if any of them were among the individuals seen being mistreated in the video.
In response to the escalating situation, the Global Sumud Flotilla is currently undertaking urgent efforts to secure the immediate release of all detained volunteers.
Summary
Maimon Herawati of the Global Peace Convoy Indonesia has confirmed that humanitarian volunteers from the Global Sumud Flotilla were subjected to abuse by Israeli forces. This confirmation follows the release of a video by Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, which depicts detainees being mistreated, including a woman being grabbed by the hair after shouting in support of Palestine. The volunteers were apprehended during a mission intended to deliver aid to Gaza.
Efforts are currently underway to secure the release of all detained individuals, including nine Indonesian citizens whose specific safety status remains unverified. While one of the victims in the video has been identified as an Irish activist, the identities of the other detainees remain largely unclear. The Global Sumud Flotilla continues to coordinate urgent measures to ensure the protection and freedom of the detained volunteers.