UN LATIN AMERICAN AND CARIBBEAN MEETING
IN SUPPORT OF ISRAELI-PALESTINIAN PEACE,
11 - 12 DECEMBER 2008
SANTIAGO, CHILE
STATEMENT BY HIS EXCELLENCY ABDULLAH FAIZ ZAIN
AMBASSADOR OF MALAYSIA IN CHILE
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The Israeli-Palestinian conflict has remained on the international agenda for over 60 years and regretfully can be expected to remain for many years to come unless the international community and the United Nations are willing to seriously look at the subject objectively. Malaysia supports the legitimate rights of the Palestinians to establish an independent and sovereign state with Al Quds Al Sharif as its capital.
2. The Annapolis Conference has substantially waned along with the resolve of the international community in genuinely addressing the core issues surrounding this longstanding conflict. Although negotiations are still underway between all parties involved, the sincerity of Israel in the peace process is questionable via their endless acts of provocation which seem to coincide with talks addressing the Palestine - Israel conflict comes into focus.
3. In order to see progress in the peace process, the international community should support and highlight the ongoing negotiations between Palestine and Israel so as to not lose focus on the real issue at hand, the core issues which would lead to the final resolution of a State of Palestine.
4. The current deplorable humanitarian situation in Palestine, in particular those in Gaza, is a major cause for concern. Any interference in the distribution of aid, food and other basic infrastructures and needs are causes of reprisals and create major challenges to ensure stability. Rather, it would strengthen the resolve of Gazan's to retaliate as it would turn into an issue of survival. Furthermore, the worse affected are the Palestinian women and children, who are not threats to the security of the region.
5. In expressing our concern, Malaysia released a Press Statement on 21 November 2008 strongly condemning the attacks and ongoing blockade imposed by the Zionist Regime on Gaza.
6. Israel's relentless aggressive measures have exacerbated the already worsening humanitarian crisis in the area and could cause a humanitarian catastrophe which the international community seems to refuse to address. We urged the United Nations Security Council to set aside political and ideological differences in the name of humanity and save the people of Gaza, in particular women and children, from these sadistic hostilities.
7. The Honourable Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, Prime Minister of Malaysia, reiterated Malaysia's stand in his message in conjunction with the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People on 24 November 2008 emphasizing that the international community has a duty to work together towards the restoration of the rights and dignity of the Palestinian people. The Message underlined the need to demonstrate particular concern about the impact that the occupation has on youth and children as they are the future of Palestine. Crushing their hopes and dreams and violating their human rights and dignity will have serious repercussions on the prospect of realizing a durable peace in the Middle East.
8. The Message also highlighted that the persistent pattern of wilful violations of international law and abuses of human rights by Israel is not consonant with the intention of a government that has declared its commitment to achieving peace with Palestine and its Arab neighbours. The international community and the United Nations must send a clear and unequivocal message that the violations of international law by Israel and its actions against the Palestinian people cannot be tolerated. Measures need to be taken to put a stop to these inhumane acts.
9. Malaysia urges the international community, in particular the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) and influential states, to urgently assume concrete measures to compel Israel to respect international law, adhere to United Nations resolutions, devote full commitment to peace efforts mediated by various parties and cease from undertaking any form of aggression and provocation that would aggravate the already worsening humanitarian crisis faced by the people in Gaza.
10. We believe that the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People has an important role to play in exercising influence on the United Nations Security Council to assume its responsibilities to compel Israel to respect international law and put an end to Israel's occupation and illegitimate practices in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. It is extremely vital for the Committee to urgently expound efforts in ending the siege of Gaza under the name of humanity and moral dignity.
11. In conclusion, Malaysia reiterates our commitment and support towards Palestine in achieving self-determination and establishment of a sovereign and independent Palestinian state with Al Quds Al Sharif as its capital.
Embassy of Malaysia
Santiago, Chile
11 December 2008
HE Nourredine Yazid, Ambassador of Algeria in Chile, HE Hamidon Ali, PR of Malaysia in New York and Rapporteur of the Conference, HE Vimon Kidchob, Ambassador of Thailand in Chile, and HE Paul Babji, PR of Senegal, New York and Chairman of the Committee on the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinians invited for Hi-Tea at the Residence.
(left to right)
Mrs Nourredine (wife of Algerian Ambassador); Mrs Martin (wife of Norwegian Ambassador; and HE Martin T. Bjorndal (Ambassador of Norway in Chile)
(left to right)
HE Amb. Ashraf Youssef Abd. Elhalim Zaazaa, Ambassador of Egypt in Chile; HE Paul Babji, PR of Senegal, New York and Chairman of the Committee on the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinians; HE Hamidon Ali, PR of Malaysia, New York and Rapporteur of the Conference.
(left to right)
www.kln.gov.my/perwakilan/santiago