PETALING JAYA: Malaysians should set aside their prejudices and view the issue of Palestinian refugees coming into the country as a humanitarian issue, says a group of over 38 non-governmental organisations.
In a joint statement, the group said that it is disheartening to see the negative reactions by some Malaysians on the decision by the government to provide a small reprieve from the ongoing genocide and destruction of their homes to these Palestinian refugees.
"The Palestinians who have been brought here are only a small number compared to the ones still facing death and destruction in their homeland.
"We urge all Malaysians to put aside their prejudices and to see this as what it is, a humanitarian issue," the group said in a statement on Thursday (Aug 22).
Among the over-38 civil society organisations that signed the joint statement are Bersih, Pertubuhan Ikram Malaysia, Islamic Renaissance Front (IRF), and G25.
On Aug 17, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim expressed sadness over the backlash from some parties against the government’s move to bring injured Palestinians from Gaza to receive medical treatment in Malaysia.
He said some even went to extremes in criticising the noble effort when it was indeed just a small act of compassion and kindness towards Palestinians who have been suffering and enduring Israel’s genocidal acts in Gaza.
On this, the group said that as a responsible member of the international community, Malaysia has a moral and legal obligation to do all in its power and capacity to assist innocent civilians in conflict areas.
"In fact, we feel that the Government can and should do more to help Palestinian refugees," it added
The group added that there was a moral imperative that all parties act with compassion towards our fellow human beings who suffer due to no fault of their own and who are in our country.
"This transcends all our differences because it recognises the right of every human being to live in dignity and free from fear.
"We also call upon the government to take steps to recognise the rights of all refugees who are here in the country, not just the Palestinians. We stand by all people who have been displaced from their homelands by conflict," said the civil societies.
The Palestinians were flown into the country on two Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) aircraft, arrived in Malaysia from Almaza Air Base in Egypt on Aug 16.
The mission was undertaken following the Prime Minister's announcement at the Palestine Solidarity Rally on Aug 4 in Kuala Lumpur where he said that the country will provide medical treatment to injured Palestinian civilians.
