KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia will utilise every international platform available to ensure that the voices and rights of the Palestinian people continue to be heard on the global stage, says Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan.
The Foreign Minister said these platforms include the United Nations (UN), Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Asean, Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), G20 and BRICS.
Mohamad said this effort was crucial in strengthening Palestine’s struggle for independence and securing ongoing international recognition of its aspirations.
“Malaysia will continue to speak up, act and contribute within our capacity. We strongly condemn the Israeli Cabinet’s recent decision to take full control of Gaza, which is a deliberate attempt at colonisation,” he told the Dewan Rakyat on Tuesday (Aug 19).
The minister added that Malaysia had strongly denounced the Zionist regime’s agenda of expanding illegal settlements under the ‘Greater Israel’ plan, including construction in the E1 area between Jerusalem and Ma’ale Adumim in the occupied Palestinian territories.
“These are unlawful acts that clearly violate international law and UN resolutions. They undermine Palestinian sovereignty and render the two-state solution impossible to achieve,” Mohamad said.
He stressed that the atrocities committed amounted to crimes against humanity, breaching multiple international laws and the fundamental principles of the UN Charter.
“These acts include genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity, destruction of public infrastructure, ethnic cleansing and forced displacement,” he said.
Mohamad reiterated that Malaysia’s support for Palestine was anchored on principles of justice, human rights and the right of Palestinians to self-determination, to return to their homeland and to establish a sovereign state based on pre-1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital and for Palestine to be recognised as a full UN member.
To date, more than 60,000 Palestinians have been killed in the ongoing conflict in Gaza, including journalists, women, children, humanitarian workers and volunteers delivering aid, he said.
Mohamad also highlighted Malaysia’s close cooperation with countries such as Egypt and Jordan, as well as with international NGOs, through airdrop missions and an “air bridge” to ensure that humanitarian aid reached those in need in Gaza despite numerous challenges.
