Jakarta, IO – Foreign Ministry (Kemlu) advised Indonesian citizens in Palestine and Israel to immediately find a way out. According to a written statement published via the ministry’s website, this advisory was issued in response to the worsening security situations there.
“Considering the latest security situation and for the safety of Indonesian citizens, the Indonesian government urges Indonesian citizens residing in the Palestinian territories or Israel to immediately leave these areas,” it reads on Tuesday (10/10).
Meanwhile, Indonesian citizens who already have travel plans to Palestine and Israel in the near future are advised to cancel them. “For those who have planned a trip to these two regions, cancel your plans until further notice from the government,” the statement added.
The Director for the Protection of Indonesian Citizens Judha Nugraha earlier said that there were 45 Indonesian citizens living in Gaza and the West Bank. Meanwhile, when the Hamas attack on Israel occurred on Saturday (7/10), there were 230 Indonesian citizens who were carrying out religious pilgrimage in Israel, per CNN Indonesia.
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Up to this point, Judha ascertained that no Indonesian citizens were killed or injured in the armed conflict. He said the ministry is currently also preparing a contingency plan to evacuate Indonesian citizens still living in Palestine.
“To monitor the situation in Palestine closely and prepare a contingency plan. Evacuation is part of the contingency plan,” explained Judha. (un)