PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia has pledged to explore all available avenues to assist Palestine, end the atrocities inc and bring Israel to justice, says the Foreign Ministry.
This comes as Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan is set to participate in the United Nations Security Council ministerial-level open debate on the situation in the Middle East today.
The ministry said that Mohamad will voice Malaysia’s strong and unwavering support for Palestine.
“At the Security Council, the Foreign Minister will reiterate Malaysia’s call for an immediate ceasefire, oppose the continuing forced displacement of Palestinians and stress the urgent need for unhindered humanitarian aid to address the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza.
“Malaysia will demand accountability for Israel’s flagrant violations of international law,” it said in a statement yesterday.
It said that Mohamad is set to champion the recognition of the state of Palestine as a full United Nations member.
The effort aims at upholding the inherent rights of Palestinians to self-determination, national independence and sovereignty, which have been persistently withheld.
It said that the proposal advocates for a two-state solution grounded in pre-1967 borders, with East Jerusalem designated as its capital.
It said that the Foreign Minister is also scheduled to meet UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres to express support for his latest call for rapid, safe, unhindered, expanded and sustained humanitarian access into and across Gaza.
“Malaysia acknowledges the ongoing multilateral efforts to address the ongoing situation in Palestine,” it said, Bernama reported.
Carrying the voices of Malaysians for Palestinians, the Foreign Minister will hand over special postcards from Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Cabinet members, addressed to the UN secretary-general.
“It urges that the United Nations accept Palestine as a full member state while reiterating the call for an immediate ceasefire,” said the ministry.
Malaysia will also express support to under-secretary-general Sigrid Kaag as she takes on the responsibility of senior humanitarian and reconstruction coordinator for Gaza.
Wisma Putra said that in addition to diplomatic efforts, Malaysia is also involved in international legal action on the Palestinian issue.
Mohamad is expected to lead the Malaysian delegation to the public hearing session to request the International Court of Justice’s Advisory Opinion on the legal consequences from Israel’s policies and actions in the occupied Palestinian territories, including East Jerusalem.
It will be held at the Peace Palace in The Hague, Netherlands, from Feb 19.
“Malaysia is expected to deliver its oral statement on Feb 22.
“Malaysia had earlier submitted its written statement to ICJ on July 25, 2023, focusing on Israel’s continuous violation of the right to self-determination of the Palestinians,” said Wisma Putra.
The statement request for the ICJ Advisory Opinion emanates from the UN General Assembly’s Resolution 77/247 adopted on Dec 30, 2022, which was co-sponsored by Malaysia.
Further, Malaysia strongly supports South Africa’s legal action against Israel for its violations of its obligations under the 1948 Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide.
Malaysia is currently exploring the available options to further support this case, it added.
