GEORGE TOWN – Malaysia’s stand in support of Palestine is not about “terrorism” or religion and certainly not about a “holy war”, said a former religious affairs minister.
Datuk Seri Mujahid Yusof Rawa said our stand was all about placing humanity ahead of any form of dispute in the crisis.
“We need to put forth this rational understanding. Malaysia is against any form of violence. But we need to put up a strong stand that it is the aggression of Israel in the first place, which has led to this unparalleled form of violence.”
Hence, the people should be firmly behind the country’s tough stance to pressure Israel to agree to a ceasefire so innocent civilians can get out of harm’s way, he said.
“There is a need to counter the confusion sowed by some, who are out to distort the facts about the conflict. We must be honest about this.
“For decades, Malaysia has been consistent in its stance against any form of violence, especially in Palestine, and there is a need to ask who triggered this longstanding conflict in the first place,” said Mujahid.
“Find the cause of it. It will then lead to a sustained and sincere move towards resolving the hostilities. There should be a united approach,” he added.
Mujahid also lent his voice to the need for hostages not to be harmed, as they are the blameless party in the crisis.
“At the heart of the matter is the plight of the Palestinians. Whether it is in the Gaza Strip or West Bank, they are the ones paying the ultimate price with their lives.”
His view was shared by Bayan Baru MP Sim Tze Tzin, who said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s strong stance on the matter should not be misinterpreted as an overzealous reaction to the conflict.
“It is actually a geopolitical stance and a strategic move. Anwar is telling the world that Malaysia would not be cowed into an indecisive corner. We are firm on what is wrong and we are ready to play a role in helping find peace in the region.”
Sim said that the plight of the Palestinians needs the attention of all to find a long-lasting peace solution.
“It is not just about one or two countries or the nations in the Middle East. The world must come together to condemn violence and to find alternatives.”
Israel’s relentless bombing of the Gaza Strip has reportedly killed 9,488 people, with nearly 2,200 others, including children, still unaccounted for beneath the rubble, according to the occupied Palestinian territory’s health ministry as of yesterday.
Former top United Nations officer Craig Mokhiber has described Israel’s continuous assault against Gaza as genocide, as defined by the UN Convention Against Genocide.
Mokhiber recently resigned from his post as director in the New York Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights.
Besides the large number of deaths and massive displacement of Palestinians living in what has been described as “the world’s largest open-air prison”, basic supplies are running low for the 2.3 million residents in Gaza. – The Vibes, November 5, 2023
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