Nine Indonesians were among hundreds of activists from around the world detained while attempting to deliver aid to Gaza in May. They have filed a complaint against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu alleging crimes against humanity, their lawyer told AFP.
The men were part of the Global Sumud Flotilla, an initiative involving dozens of boats and hundreds of participants from multiple countries seeking to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza. Israeli forces intercepted the vessels in international waters and detained more than 400 activists, some for several days, before transporting many of them to Israel for processing.
The group asked Indonesia’s Attorney General on Wednesday to investigate Israel for alleged offences including piracy at sea and crimes against humanity, lawyer Kafin Muhammad said.
“We are asking the Attorney General of the Republic of Indonesia to conduct an investigation into crimes allegedly committed by Zionist Israel,” Muhammad told AFP.
The complaint, filed on 29th July, names Netanyahu specifically and alleges he bears responsibility as Israel’s commander-in-chief. It also includes testimony from volunteers describing abuses they claim to have suffered while detained by Israeli authorities. Indonesia does not have diplomatic relations with Israel.
Muhammad said Indonesia’s Criminal Code gives the country’s courts “universal jurisdiction” over certain cases involving crimes committed beyond its borders, which he argued provides the legal basis for the complaint.
A spokesperson for the Attorney General’s Office did not respond to an AFP request for comment.
Israel’s treatment of the flotilla activists drew international criticism after an Israeli minister posted a video showing volunteers kneeling with their hands tied behind their backs. Human rights organisations have raised concerns about the treatment of detainees, including allegations of ill-treatment during the interception and subsequent detention. France, Italy, and Australia have opened judicial investigations into the incident, reflecting growing international scrutiny of maritime aid missions to Gaza.
Israel’s naval blockade of Gaza has been in place since 2007, following Hamas’s takeover of the territory. The flotilla activists said they were attempting to deliver humanitarian aid and challenge the blockade. Israel says the blockade is necessary for security reasons to prevent weapons from reaching Hamas, while critics argue it amounts to collective punishment of Gaza’s civilian population, which has faced severe humanitarian challenges under restrictions on the movement of goods and people.
Indonesia has consistently voiced support for the Palestinian cause and criticised Israeli military operations in Gaza. As the Attorney General’s Office considers the request, the complaint could test the country’s willingness to apply universal jurisdiction in a high-profile international case. There was no immediate response from Israeli authorities.
The filing adds to a growing number of legal challenges linked to the Gaza conflict and maritime aid missions, as activists increasingly turn to domestic courts in jurisdictions they believe are receptive to pursuing allegations of wrongdoing.
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