KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia remains unwavering in its stance and policy on the Palestine-Israel conflict, says Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
“The stance and foreign policy of the Madani government in the Palestine-Israel conflict is clear and remains unchanged.
"The struggle to liberate the land and rights of the Palestinian people will remain a core priority of the Malaysian government’s foreign policy,” the Deputy Prime Minister said when tabling a special motion on the crisis in the Dewan Rakyat on Monday (Oct 9).
Condemning Israel’s illegal occupation, he said Malaysia remains strong in its position that the absolute rights to form an independent and sovereign state with East Jerusalem as its capitol had to be returned to the Palestinians.
Malaysia, he said, has voiced its strong and firm position at every occasion and platform possible including at international forums such as the United Nations, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Non-Aligned Movement and the UNHCR Council.
“The Prime Minister himself has stressed Malaysia’s position on the Palestinian issue in his speech at the UN General Assembly in New York on Sept 22, 2023,” he said.
He said Malaysia’s firmness is also evident through its frequent statements condemning all forms of provocation and violence by the Israeli regime.
“This includes pressing the international community, especially the United Nations Security Council to continue to pressure the Israeli regime to stop all apartheid policies and inhumane actions against Palestinians,” he said.
“Malaysia had also joined a few countries in filing a written statement to the International Court of Justice on July 25 on the illegal occupation and land grab by Israel on Palestinian territories which has been ongoing since 1967,” he said.
Ahmad Zahid said the country will continue to support concrete, realistic and fair solutions, which are in line with the resolutions of the UNSC and within legal provisions.
“This includes supporting the legitimacy of an independent nation formed by Palestinians which is free from Israel’s invasion and efforts to expand Jewish settlements in the West Bank,” he said.
Ahmad Zahid said Malaysia’s unconditional support is clear from various aspects including political, economical, financial aid, capacity development and redevelopment of infrastructure.
Apart from government aid, he said Malaysia continues to channel humanitarian aid and donations sourced from public donations.
“This is conducted by the Humanitarian Trust Fund for the People of Palestine (AAKRP), which is managed by the Foreign Ministry. NGO’s wanting to help Palestinians can use this channel,” he said.
Adding that Malaysia is concerned over the rising death toll, the innocent lives lost and the destruction caused by the war, he said UNSC must immediately act by calling all parties to end violence and war.
The international community must also increase pressure on all parties to stop the violence for peace and stability, he said.
Ahmad Zahid said it is important to reflect on what prompted the move, as Palestine has been subjected to Israeli occupation for 75 years.
Israeli forces clashed with Hamas on Sunday (Oct 8), 24 hours after a surprise attack in which nearly 500 people were killed in the deadliest day of violence for 50 years.
