Anwar: I told the truth about massacre in Gaza as it was the right thing to do

PUTRAJAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said he found the courage to speak out about Palestinians massacred by Israel in front of US President Joe Biden recently because it is the right thing to do.

Calling the massacre a “great disaster”, Anwar said he also found the courage to do so because the Palestinian issue was close to the hearts of all Malaysians.

“Aside from discussing economic matters, I went to the Apec conference in San Francisco to explain the stand of Malaysians regarding the great disaster befalling the people of Palestine, especially those in Gaza.

“Some people asked where did I find the courage to say all that in front of Biden and I said, I must tell the truth. I must tell the facts.

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“They (Palestinians) are murdered, their properties seized, their lands seized. Meaning that their entire lives are being dispossessed, including their dignity, all because of the crimes committed by the Zionist Israel,” he said when launching the 2023 Karnival Usahawan Desa @Putrajaya at Anjung Floria, here on Saturday (Nov 25).

Anwar said it was important for all to understand that the atrocities being committed by Israel is not only affecting the Muslims but also Christian Palestinians who have lost their lives, aside from their churches being bombed.

He said due to Malaysia’s strategic diplomatic relations with countries near Palestine such as Egypt, Putrajaya was able to expedite humanitarian aid to those affected.

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“The Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi fulfilled his promise to prioritise humanitarian aid from Malaysia such as food and medicine. This is the result of our diplomatic relations.

“What’s happening to the Muslim and Christian Palestinians is a great disaster and we must sympathise with all of the victims because all of them there are experiencing the same calamity,” Anwar added.

During the Apec Economic Leaders’ Informal Dialogue and Working Lunch in the presence of US President Joe Biden and the rest of the leaders from member economies, Anwar voiced out about the bloodbath that is happening in the Gaza Strip amid Israel’s relentless air and ground attack.

Anwar said what’s happening in Gaza was a clear abandonment of moral responsibility which allowed massive destruction to happen and resulted in climate calamity.

He said the humanitarian crisis in Palestine is not only affecting Palestine or the broader Middle East, but it will also leave an imprint on global relations for many years to come.