Pangkalpinang. Indonesia’s efforts to secure the release of nine Indonesian activists and journalists detained by Israeli forces have been complicated by the absence of diplomatic relations between the two countries, Law Minister Supratman Andi Agtas said on Thursday.

Without formal diplomatic ties between Indonesia and Israel, direct negotiations become more difficult, he said.

“The Foreign Ministry and other institutions have already been discussing this issue. There are indeed some obstacles because we do not have diplomatic relations with Israel,” Supratman said during a visit to Pangkalpinang in the Bangka Belitung Islands province.

“So far, we have communicated through friendly countries acting as intermediaries,” he added.

Despite the diplomatic challenges, Supratman said the Indonesian government, through the Foreign Affairs Ministry, continues working to secure the release of the nine Indonesians.

“Believe me, this matter is already being handled by the Foreign Ministry. What happened there is not the first case. Based on past experience, everyone was eventually released,” he said.

The Indonesians were participating in a humanitarian voyage to Gaza Strip under the Global Sumud Flotilla initiative when they were detained by Israeli forces in separate operations between May 18 and May 20.

Those detained were identified as Bambang Noroyono, Thoudy Badai Rifan Billah, Andre Prasetyo Nugroho, Rahendro Herubowo, Andi Angga Prasadewa, Herman Budianto Sudarsono, Ronggo Wirasanu, Asad Aras Muhammad, and Hendro Prasetyo.

According to Indonesian officials, all of them managed to send emergency SOS video messages before their communication signals were reportedly cut off completely.