KUALA LUMPUR: The Global Solidarity Flotilla (GSF) steering committee expresses its appreciation to Malaysia and its people, for what it described as consistent and principled support for the Palestinian cause, amid continued violence and humanitarian suffering in Gaza.
GSF steering committee member Thiago Avila said that the delegation was honoured to be in Malaysia, and thanked both the Malaysian people and government for "always standing on the right side of history" in supporting Palestine.
He said that, despite a world gripped by hatred, violence and instability, Malaysia continued to stand out as a country which refused to turn a blind eye to what he described as decades of oppression against the Palestinian people.
"The world is in turmoil, with so much pressure, hatred and violence, but Malaysia continues to stand as a place where people do not abandon the good causes of our planet, and do not accept decades of genocide, ethnic cleansing and oppression against the Palestinian people," he said, during the press conference for the GSF 2.0 Roundtable Discussion: Breaking The Siege at Wisma MAPIM, Monday (Jan 5).
Two other GSF steering committee members, Kleoniki Alexopoulou and Saif Abukesyek, were also panellists at the roundtable discussion, while Cinta Gaza Malaysia chief executive officer, Muhammad Nadir Al-Nuri Kamaruzaman, served as the moderator.
Also present was Sumud Nusantara Control Centre (SNCC) director-general Datuk Dr Sani Araby Abdul Alim Araby.
Avila said the situation in Palestine had not improved, despite claims of a ceasefire, noting that within less than three months, more than 400 Palestinians had been killed, while humanitarian aid entering Gaza remained far below the agreed and internationally recommended levels.
According to him, the GSF and its partners would continue their efforts, and were counting on Malaysia and countries in the region to remain engaged, stressing the need for a united global movement against what he described as ongoing violations in Palestine.
"We need to show that there is a whole world against the genocide of the Palestinian people, and that we will never accept the lies that the situation has been resolved," he said.
Meanwhile, Abukesyek echoed Avila's remarks, thanking Malaysia and several other Asian countries for their active participation and steadfast solidarity with Palestine.
He described the Palestinian struggle as an ethical and moral compass for humanity, saying it was not only a Palestinian cause, but one which concerned all who sought a more just and humane future.
Abukesyek said the group had announced that its next mission would take place in the spring of this year, with preparations already underway to sail as early as possible, taking into account weather conditions in the Mediterranean.
He added that escalating pressure by the Zionist regime meant that any future mobilisation would need to be bigger and stronger, requiring broader participation and longer preparation, adding that the exact sailing date could not be disclosed for security reasons.
He said that the upcoming mission aimed to represent all nations, with registration to open soon for participants from various sectors, including social movements, organisations, non-governmental organisations and unions.
The participation would not be limited to sailing alone, but would also include land-based mobilisation and organisational support, adding that the GSF was expecting more than 3,000 participants for the next mission. - Bernama
