Malaysia urges restraint and action on Israel-Palestine conflict

8 Oct 2023

By Wartawan Nabalu News

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia has expressed its deep concern over the latest escalation of violence in the Middle East, which has claimed many lives and caused widespread destruction in and around the Gaza Strip.

In a statement issued on Sunday, the Malaysian Foreign Ministry said that the parties involved must exercise utmost restraint and de-escalate the situation to prevent further loss of life, suffering and damage.

The statement also called for the recognition of the root cause of the conflict, which is the prolonged illegal occupation, blockade and oppression of the Palestinians by Israel, as well as the desecration of Al-Aqsa Mosque and the forced displacement of Palestinians from their homes and lands.

The ministry said that the international community should not tolerate any regime that practices apartheid and blatantly violates human rights and international law, and urged for a more consistent stance in addressing the Israeli regime.

"There should be no disproportionate treatment and flagrant hypocrisy in dealing with any regime that practices apartheid and blatantly violates human rights and international law.

"Palestinians have the legal right to live in a state of peace within its own internationally recognised borders, based on pre-1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital, as well as their inalienable right to return to their homes and property from which they have been displaced," said the Ministry.

The statement also urged the United Nations Security Council to live up to its Charter mandated responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security, and to convene an emergency session to demand all parties stop the violence as well as respect and protect the lives of innocent civilians.