Malaysian Resolve: Standing Strong in Support of Palestine’s Full Membership
As a predominantly Muslim nation, Malaysia consistently upholds its unwavering support for Palestine, especially at a time when some Arab countries are reconsidering their stance. Despite wavering support from other Arab nations, Malaysia stands firmly with Palestine and condemns Israel’s attacks on Gaza.
Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan expressed Malaysia’s aspiration for Palestine’s full membership in the United Nations (UN) and called for a ceasefire during a meeting with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim echoed this sentiment, aligning it with Guterres’ statement at the Non-Aligned Movement Summit in Kampala, Uganda, which affirmed the Palestinians’ right to establish an independent state.
In a Facebook post, Prime Minister Anwar stressed the importance of restoring rightful rights to deserving individuals, emphasizing that peace relies on ending oppression, violence, and the denial of rights. He cautioned against the proliferation of apartheid policies, foreseeing an insecure future if such injustice persists.
Anwar Ibrahim restated Malaysia’s stance on principle, reaffirming the Palestinians’ right to an autonomous state based on borders from before 1967, with East Jerusalem serving as its capital. Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan called for responsibility for Israel’s blatant transgressions of international law in Gaza during the UN Security Council Open Debate on The Situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian Question.
The credibility of international law is undermined and efforts to put an end to Israel’s illegal occupation of Palestine are impeded, as Mohamad emphasized, by the absence of accountability for its acts. Malaysia is unwavering in its support of justice and the Palestinian people’s rights.
Mohamad highlighted Malaysia’s unwavering commitment to upholding international law and defending the rights of the oppressed. He disclosed that Malaysia, in collaboration with 56 other countries, submitted a written statement to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on July 23, 2023, addressing the legal consequences of Israel’s ongoing violations in Palestinian territory. Additionally, he announced Malaysia’s active participation in the forthcoming public hearing scheduled for February 19.
Asserting Malaysia’s resolute opposition to any reduction in Palestinian territory, Mohamad argued that such attempts contravene international law and hinder the prospects of peaceful coexistence. He criticized the Security Council’s failure to call for a ceasefire, attributing it to over a hundred days of continuous violence and suffering in Gaza.
Expressing dismay over Israel’s indiscriminate bombing, targeting homes, shelters, evacuation routes, and medical centers, Mohamad presented alarming statistics on Palestinian casualties. He urged the Security Council to recognize Israel’s actions as genocide and advocated for the acceptance of the State of Palestine as a full member of the United Nations.
Mohamad called for an immediate ceasefire, condemned the forced displacement of Palestinians, and reaffirmed Malaysia’s commitment to utilizing all available means and rights to end the ongoing injustice and illegality. He urged the international community to prioritize providing essential amenities for the Palestinian people, emphasizing that access to basic services is a fundamental human right that must not be compromised. In conclusion, he condemned Israel’s collective punishment of Gaza’s entire population, branding it as illegal, immoral, and in urgent need of cessation.
Israel has been carrying out a deadly war on the Gaza Strip since October. At least 24,000 Palestinians (including over 10,000 children) have died, over 60,000 have been injured, and 7,000 are missing under debris, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. Since the war started, there have been over 90,000 casualties overall, which represents a sizable portion of Gaza’s 2.3 million population.
“The occupation by Israel has to stop. In addition to being unacceptable, Israel’s rejection of the two-state solution in the face of significant international pressure indirectly prolongs the conflict, according to Guterres. He raised doubts about the feasibility of a one-state solution, pointing out that a sizable portion of the Palestinian population would be denied freedom, rights, and dignity in such a system. Guterres reiterated that the only way to satisfy the justifiable hopes of both Israelis and Palestinians is to achieve a two-state solution.
For Muslim Majority states, Palestine is a significant issue, symbolizing solidarity within the Islamic world. In democratic Islamic nations like Malaysia, it plays a crucial role in shaping people’s support in elections. Neighboring Indonesia too, exhibiting increased assertiveness on the Palestine issue, garners backing from the Muslim world. Despite close economic ties with Western nations, Despite increased business with the US, Malaysia stands firm in its stance, unwavering in its support for Palestine.
