STATEMENT BY
HIS EXCELLENCY SYED MOHD HASRIN AIDID
PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF MALAYSIA TO THE UNITED NATIONS
AT THE SECURITY COUNCIL OPEN DEBATE ON THE SITUATION IN THE MIDDLE EAST, INCLUDING THE PALESTINIAN QUESTION
NEW YORK, 21 JANUARY 2020
Mr. President,
I would like to join others in thanking the briefers and commend you for convening this open debate.
2. Malaysia wishes to align itself with the statements to be delivered by Azerbaijan and Bangladesh on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), respectively.
Mr. President,
3. Barely more than a week ago, the Council debated on the importance of upholding the UN Charter. It is fitting that we are having this debate now as the Question of Palestine is intrinsically linked to respecting the principles of international law and the UN Charter.
4. As we approach the 75th anniversary of the United Nations, it is regrettable that the question of Palestine remains unresolved. Another decade has passed and yet the Palestinians continue to live under brutal occupation and within a repressive blockade. They face discriminatory treatment and violations of their basic human rights on a daily basis. They are dispossessed of their homes and lands, deprived of natural resources and economic development, and restricted in their movement. Such enormous hardship and suffering continue to be inflicted on the Palestinians with impunity while the international community stands by unable to alleviate the ongoing suffering caused by the occupier.
5. Time and again we witness Israel’s repressive policies and practices blatantly violating numerous UN resolutions and International Law, including International Humanitarian Law and International Human Rights Law. Malaysia joins the international community in condemning the illegal settlements by Israel, including its unlawful occupation of Jerusalem.
Mr. President,
6. My delegation will continue to extend our support to the Palestinian people in their quest for basic rights, particularly their inalienable right to self-determination, as well as their rights for sustainable development. In this regard, Malaysia will open its Embassy accredited to Palestine in Amman, and is working with the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan to achieve this objective.
7. Malaysia will also continue to extend its support to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), as it is the responsibility of the international community to protect and promote the dignity and human rights of the Palestinian people.
Mr. President,
8. Malaysia believes that a legitimate political process is the only way forward which would bring an end of the illegal occupation of Palestine and address all final status issues in accordance with relevant UN resolutions particularly Security Council resolution 2334.
9. Serious efforts are needed towards ending the illegal Israeli occupation, and establishing an independent State of Palestine. The stalled Middle East Peace Process has only served to exacerbate the current situation in Palestine. Therefore, credible conditions must be created to revive the peace process soonest.
10. We continue to believe that it is the responsibility of the Security Council to strive towards a two-state solution, where the Palestinians and the Israelis can live side by side in peace, based on the pre-1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as the capital of Palestine. The international community particularly the Security Council has the moral and legal responsibility to immediately end the inhumane acts and injustice perpetrated by Israel against the Palestinians.
I thank you, Mr. President.
