PETALING JAYA: Malaysia will seek US intervention to secure the safe release of Malaysians and other volunteers of the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) humanitarian mission to Gaza who were detained by the Israeli regime.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim (pic), in a live address delivered from his car, said Malaysia would engage with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio for assistance.
“After receiving information about 23 Malaysians detained on board the Global Sumud Flotilla, I immediately called Qatar Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
“This evening, together with Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, we will also be contacting Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi and Rubio, as well as other (leaders from other) countries.
“This is to seek intervention and release those detained by Israeli forces.”
Anwar urged the Israeli regime to end its violence and condemned Israel’s interception of the GSF which was carrying unarmed civilians and humanitarian aid to Gaza.
“The only fault of those detained is their humanitarian concern over the people who are in a dire situation – the hungry, weak as well as ill, including women and children.
“If this cannot be carried out, then there is no value to humanity,” he said yesterday.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi described the detention as inhumane as the vessels were carrying volunteers and essential supplies for Palestinians suffering under the blockade.
Meanwhile, Israel has claimed that the GSF volunteers would be deported to Europe.
