NATIONAL STATEMENT BY THE HONOURABLE DEPUTY MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS AT THE HIGH-LEVEL CONSULTATIVE POLITICAL CONFERENCE ON PALESTINE

23 DECEMBER 2023 TEHRAN IRAN

His Excellency Seyed Ebrahim Raisi

President of the Islamic Republic of Iran,

 

Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

May the blessings and peace of Allah SWT be upon you.

1. Malaysia welcomes the convening of this High-Level Consultative Political Conference and expresses deep appreciation to the Government of Iran for taking the initiative to gather all of us here, today.
2. It has been more than two months now since civilians in Gaza have been subjected to Israel’s indiscriminate bombings and brutalities, in grave violation of international law.
3. Malaysia unequivocally condemns the ongoing atrocities, the extent of brutality inflicted, and the inhumane actions perpetrated by the Israeli regime in its deliberate targeting of Gaza's civilians. Malaysia unreservedly denounces the collective punishment and genocide in Gaza.
4. The crimes by the Israeli regime that we are witnessing now are the worst culmination of the atrocities and apartheid policy of the regime against the occupied Palestinians. We have been witnessing, on a daily basis, what may amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity.
5. Palestinians have long been subjected to Israel’s illegal occupation, settlers’ violence, incitement to hatred and violence, disruption to their livelihood, demolition of homes, and arbitrary detention and torture. They have been denied a future. The situation in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem is also worrying.
6. We are facing one of the fastest-growing displacement and humanitarian crises, where innocent civilians suffer the most. We are seeing devastating consequences regionally and globally, with peace and security at grave stake.
7. Israel has consistently ignored the calls by the UN General Assembly, the Human Rights Council, other international bodies for an immediate ceasefire and cessation of all violence and attacks against civilians and civilian properties.
8. Israel’s utter disregard for human rights and human life must end. The international community must continue to use every appropriate tool to ensure immediate ceasefire, end of Israel’s illegal occupation in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, and that the regime abides by its obligations under international law.

 

Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

9. Malaysia is disappointed with the double standards exhibited in addressing the plight of the Palestinians. It is completely incomprehensible when one continues to preach for human rights, justice and peace, yet turns a blind eye to these ongoing atrocities. The hypocrisy and double standard, undermine fundamental principles of international law and perpetuate further violence and brutality.
10. Collectively, we must send a resounding message of solidarity to the victims of Israel’s atrocities that humanity will prevail and justice will be pursued.
11. In that context, Malaysia welcomes the adoption of the resolution on ‘Scaling Up and Monitoring Aid to Gaza by the UNSC on 22 December 2023. It presents a glimmer of hope as we unite on the side of humanity and end the senseless bloodshed. The international community, particularly the UNSC, cannot afford to fail the Palestinians, again.
12. In the same vein, Malaysia will not relent in its efforts to address the plight of the Palestinians Malaysia remains steadfast in pursuing the following:

• an immediate ceasefire; increase and expedite humanitarian assistance to the people of Gaza;
• halt all Israeli settlement activity and settler violence against Palestinians in the West Bank;
• immediately cease the forced displacement of civilians;
• investigate and prosecute all breaches of international law, including war crimes, through international judicial institutions;
• support the Arab Peace Initiative and facilitate negotiations with reputable mediators to advance the Two-State Solution (with a recognition of an independent State of Palestine based on the pre-1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital); and
• combat the global rise of Islamophobia while safeguarding the right to peaceful expression of support for the Palestinian cause.

13. On 20 December 2023, the Malaysian Government took a bold decision to ban Israeli-flagged cargo ships from our ports. The decision, which is in response to the massacre by Israel in Gaza, is a concrete demonstration of Malaysia’s unwavering commitment to the Palestinian cause.
14. Earlier, on 14 December 2023, Malaysia launched the First Day Stamp on Palestine. This carries another important message that Malaysia fully recognizes the State of Palestine as an independent and sovereign State.

Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

15. With due humility, I wish to share that Malaysia has mobilized a nationwide campaign to alleviate the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza. We have successfully dispatched substantial humanitarian aid comprising 100 tons of essential aid, primarily medical supplies, sustenance, and necessities for infants. These items were flown to Gaza, through the Al-Arish, with invaluable assistance from the Government of the Arab Republic of Egypt and the Egyptian Red Crescent (ERC).
16. Malaysia also contributed USD2.1 million to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), to support the agency’s crucial mandate.
17. In addition, Malaysia will also provide funding for the rehabilitation of the Al-Aqsa Mosque and to organisations such as the Egyptian Red Crescent (ERC), the Palestine Red Crescent Society, JHCO and for the Palestinian refugees in Syria, West Bank, Palestine and Jordan utilising funds donated by Malaysian public and entities through the Humanitarian Trust Fund for the People of Palestine (AAKRP).
18. In ensuring Palestinians’ right to education, USD3.87 million has been approved under the AAKRP to bear education fees and monthly financial assistance to Palestinian students in Malaysia for a period of one year. The Malaysian Government meanwhile, will absorb other related university fees amounting to USD1.13 million.
19. We hope to offer a beacon of hope, enabling these students to overcome adversities and establish a robust foundation for their personal and professional growth.
20. To further streamline and enhance the humanitarian efforts, the Government of Malaysia under a special arrangement named Ops Ihsan collaborated with more than 50 NGOs. Ops Ihsan, the first ever partnership formed between Government and NGO, signifies a collaborative and united effort to gather and distribute humanitarian aid to the affected people in Gaza. Through meticulous coordination and streamlined management, this operation has successfully harnessed the collective resources and expertise of participating organizations.

Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

21. Let me conclude by emphasizing that the international community must urgently and collectively address the humanitarian crisis, by ending the Israeli attacks on civilians in Gaza.
22. Malaysia will not yield in its unequivocal conviction that continued attacks on civilians constitute war crimes, and that Israel must be held accountable for this and for its occupation of Palestinian territories.

Thank you.