KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysia, Indonesia and Brunei will issue a statement to strongly denounce Israeli aggression against Palestinians, while calling on the United Nations Security Council to immediately stop the actions of the Jewish state.
In a special address today, Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin slammed the Security Council’s inaction, saying Malaysia expresses its regret over the body’s failure to stop Israel’s attacks.
“Until now, the UN Security Council has yet to make statements concerning the events in Palestine. Despite this, Malaysia will continue urging the international community, especially the UN Security Council, to act swiftly and stop the Israeli assault.”
He said he has spoken to Indonesian President Joko Widodo, who shares the same view on the ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict.
“In our discussions, Joko and I agree that Israel’s actions must stop now. We share the view that the international community, especially the UN Security Council, must act swiftly to stop the violence by Israel and save Palestinian lives.
The cruel and despicable actions of the Israeli army against the Palestinians should be strongly condemned by the whole world. The Israeli attacks on Palestine violate international laws, and are a war crime.”
He said the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation will convene an emergency meeting tomorrow to address the situation, and Malaysia will be represented at the virtual meet by Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein.
Muhyiddin reiterated Putrajaya’s stance on giving political, economic and moral support to the Palestinians.
“Peace in the region can be achieved only through negotiations. Malaysia supports the two-state solution based on pre-1967 borders, with Baitul Maqdis as the capital of Palestine.”
Through Akaun Amanah Kemanusiaan Rakyat Palestin, he said, Malaysia has contributed US$10,000 (RM41,250) to Al Aqsa Mosque, with the sum distributed via the Jordanian government.
“Additionally, to support the Palestinian fight against Covid-19, Malaysia has provided one million masks, half a million face shields, and half a million rubber gloves. All the items were sent via a chartered flight to Jordan.”
Last year, Malaysia contributed US$120,000 to the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East to support its operations.
AFP yesterday reported that the Security Council will hold a virtual public meeting tomorrow to address the soaring violence between Israel and the Palestinians.
The United States, which had blocked an originally scheduled Friday session and proposed a meeting early next week, agreed to move the session – requested by Tunisia, Norway and China – to tomorrow, it cited sources as saying.
The US, a key Israeli ally, has defended the Jewish state’s deadly offensive in response to rocket fire from Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip.
Security Council sessions, held by videoconference due to the pandemic, require the support of all 15 members.
Early yesterday, Israel bombarded Gaza with artillery and air strikes as part of its ongoing operations against Hamas, said the military.
In Gaza, more than 100 people, including 27 children, have been reported killed since Monday, and over 580 people wounded as heavy bombardment rocked the crowded coastal enclave and brought down entire tower blocks. – The Vibes, May 15, 2021
