Malaysia urges The Hague Group to mobilise nations to end genocide in Gaza
NEW YORK: Malaysia, one of the founding members of The Hague Group, has urged closer engagement with the United Nations Security Council to push for an arms embargo and sanctions on Israel.
Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said this was crucial to compel the council to invoke its mandate under Chapter Seven of the United Nations Charter.
He added that this was among several avenues to strengthen the group’s efforts to isolate and pressure Israel to end its genocidal war in Gaza, Bernama reported.
“The Hague Group must gather all peace-loving countries and call on them to impose a comprehensive arms embargo on Israel, including the suspension of all existing agreements to supply military and dual-use items, such as technology and civilian heavy machinery.
“In doing so, we can withhold the tools of genocide from a state that is intent on perpetrating it,” he said when delivering his special remarks during The Hague Group High-Level Ministerial Meeting on Palestine, held on the sidelines of the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly here on Friday.
Mohamad also stressed the importance of pursuing closer cooperation with other groups dedicated to advancing the rights of the Palestinian people, such as the UN Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation.
Noting that many UN member states have now recognised Palestine, he urged the group to seize the growing global momentum to galvanise efforts and amplify calls to end the injustices long endured by the Palestinians.
“Conditions have become truly desperate for the people living in Gaza due to inhumane obstructions by Israeli forces.
“If they are not killed by bullets or bombs, they are murdered through starvation. Acute malnutrition is rife among children. Meanwhile, in the West Bank, the expansion of illegal settlements continues unabated, including through the announcement of plans for complete annexation,” he added.
He also reiterated Malaysia’s commitment to supporting the joint efforts of The Hague Group in advancing the Palestinian cause.
On a related note, Mohamad expressed Malaysia’s concern over a recent report by the UN Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights in Palestine, which highlighted the role of certain multinational corporations in facilitating Israel’s illegal occupation of Palestinian land.
“We urge the international community to pay attention to this disclosure,” he said.
The Hague Group is a coalition of countries established to pursue coordinated legal, economic, and diplomatic measures against Israel’s violations of international law, particularly concerning its actions in Palestine.
It was formed in the Netherlands earlier this year by Bolivia, Colombia, Cuba, Honduras, Malaysia, Namibia, Senegal, and South Africa.
Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza has killed more than 65,000 people, most of them women and children, and caused widespread destruction in the enclave.
The regime’s blockade has also led to a humanitarian catastrophe and famine.
Mohamad also presented the invitation letter to UN Secretary-General António Guterres, inviting him to attend the 47th Asean Summit in Kuala Lumpur this October.
