DEMONSTRATORS gathered outside the United States Embassy in Kuala Lumpur on Thursday, denouncing Israel’s interception of the Global Sumud Flotilla and Washington’s perceived support for the blockade of Gaza.
The protest follows the detention of 201 humanitarian activists, including 17 Malaysians, in international waters by Israeli forces.
Shouts of "hamba US" ("US lackeys") echoed through the crowd as protesters displayed placards and banners reading "Stop the Genocide" and "Israel-America: Stop Starving Gaza".
Palestinian flags were waved, and photos of children from Gaza were held aloft in a show of solidarity with the besieged population.
The rally briefly turned disorderly when some participants moved into the street, but officers from the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) quickly restored order. Heavy rainfall later brought the protest to a calmer close.
Among the demonstrators was Rinah Alim, 51, who said she joined the protest out of moral conviction.
"I am here out of humanity, for the people of Palestine who have suffered for years and are being denied aid," she told reporters. "Our friends in the flotilla were only carrying essentials – milk and food – not weapons. This is a heartless act by the Zionist regime that we must oppose."
The demonstration comes after Israel’s military reportedly boarded multiple vessels in the Global Sumud Flotilla early Thursday morning.
The flotilla was carrying humanitarian supplies and volunteers bound for Gaza. According to activist Nadir Al-Nuri, the interception occurred in international waters.
The Malaysian delegation included public figures such as singer Heliza Helmi and her sister Nur Hazwani Afiqah aboard the ship Hio; Zizi Kirana on Huga; Danish Nazran and Nurfarahin Romli on Grande Blu; Musa Nuwayri, Iylia Balqis and Sul Aidil on Alma; and Haikal Abdullah, Muaz Zainal, Zulfadhli Khiduddin and Rusydi Ramli aboard Sirius. Five other Malaysians, including Islamic preacher PU Rahmat (Rahmat Ikhsan), Norhelmi, Mohd Asmawi, Norazman (Estrella), and actress Ardell Aryana (Mikeno), were reported out of contact.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim strongly condemned the interception, calling it an inhumane act against unarmed civilians engaged in humanitarian relief. "This was a humanitarian mission involving unarmed civilians delivering food and medical supplies. To intercept it in such an inhumane manner is indefensible," he said in a statement.
Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof echoed the Prime Minister’s stance, vowing that Malaysia would pursue every diplomatic and legal avenue to secure the release of its citizens and hold Israel accountable.
"We will use every legal and diplomatic channel to ensure Israel is held accountable, especially when the safety of Malaysians is at stake," Fadillah said in a statement.
He condemned Israel’s actions as a violation of humanitarian norms.
"The world is once again witnessing the true face of Israel – a colonial regime that respects neither law nor life, and is willing to suppress a humanitarian mission carrying essential supplies and volunteers for Palestinians facing intimidation, violence and coercion."
Fadillah emphasised that the flotilla was not merely a delivery of aid but a global symbol of solidarity.
"This mission carried not only supplies, but also a symbol of global solidarity, compassion and hope for Palestine. Israel’s actions are not only acts of cruelty against the people of Gaza, but also an insult to the voice of global humanity."
Fadillah said Malaysia’s commitment is to justice for Palestine.
"Humanity cannot be held hostage. Malaysia stands firmly with Palestine until justice and freedom are theirs." - October 2, 2025
