PUTRAJAYA, June 12 — Foreign Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan reaffirmed Malaysia’s support for Palestine during the Call for Action: Urgent Humanitarian Response for Gaza conference in Jordan. He underlined the necessity for a permanent ceasefire for successful humanitarian response.
Speaking at the conference held at the Dead Sea, Jordan, yesterday, Mohamad underscored how the genocide in Gaza has hindered much-needed humanitarian aid for Palestinians.
“The brutal reality on the ground is that there is still no guarantee for safe, secure, and unhindered delivery of aid,” he said, pointing out that Israel airstrikes had not only struck Malaysia’s aid convoy, but also demolished a distribution centre, resulting in the deaths of volunteers and the destruction of life-saving consignments.
Mohamad stressed these barbaric attacks did not and will not deter Malaysia from its humanitarian commitments.
“We all can agree that it would be impossible for any immediate humanitarian response to materialise, in the absence of a permanent and effective ceasefire and political solution,” he said.
Mohamad called on all stakeholders to support the sincere undertaking towards a truce, including the United States’ three-phase proposal.
“As a matter of principle, Malaysia has always been a strong advocate for peace and stability. We will stand in solidarity with any genuine effort that promotes peaceful settlement of conflict,” he said, welcoming the adoption of United Nations Security Council Resolution 2735 on the three-phase proposal by the United States.
He said a successful humanitarian response for Gaza is conditional on three elements — addressing the root causes of the conflict, imposing accountability on Israel through a reparative approach, and reinforcement of the UN humanitarian mandate.
“We need a comprehensive humanitarian response, as well as recovery and reconstruction strategies, that addresses root causes, namely, the denial of self-determination, and the prolonged illegal occupation and atrocities by Israel,” he said.
He said Palestine’s inherent right as a full member of the UN must be realised.
“As the occupying power, Israel must be held accountable through a reparative approach in rebuilding Gaza, and for the immense violations inflicted upon the Palestinians,” Mohamad said.
“We must reinforce the UN’s role in carrying out its humanitarian mandate.
“UNRWA must be empowered, supported and protected, to enable it to deliver humanitarian assistance, and immediate recovery in social infrastructures, including healthcare services and psycho-social support, and at scale,” he said, referring to the world body’s Palestine refugee agency.
Mohamad pledged Malaysia’s continued humanitarian support, and said Putrajaya, in collaboration with more than 50 local non-governmental organisations, has dispatched over 5,000 tonnes of vital aid to Gaza.
— Bernama
