STATEMENT BY THE PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF MALAYSIA
AT THE UNSC OPEN DEBATE
ON THE SITUATION IN THE MIDDLE EAST
INCLUDING THE QUESTION OF PALESTINE
NEW YORK, THURSDAY, 25 JANUARY 2018
Mr. President,
Malaysia aligns itself with the statement delivered by the Permanent Representative of Turkey on behalf of the OIC and by the Permanent Representative of Venezuela on behalf of NAM.
2. The situation in Palestine remains dire. Peaceful resolution of the longest man-made conflict remains elusive. This is largely due to the continued defiance by Israel, the occupying power, of various relevant UNSC resolutions including Resolution 2334. We therefore demand Israel to stop all violations and illegal activities, and to fully comply with all its obligations as prescribed by all the resolutions.
Mr. President.
3. It is the responsibility of all members of the United Nations to contribute towards finding a just and peaceful solution to this conflict. It is in this context that Malaysia reiterates its deep concern over the decision by the United States to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and to relocate its Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. The decision undermines efforts towards finding a comprehensive, just and durable solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. It has caused dismay and frustration to a majority of Member States, particularly the Palestinians and the Muslim world, and those who wish to see peace, stability and security in the region.
4. More importantly, the decision goes against and undermines the relevant UNSC resolutions such as Resolution 478 (1980) and Resolution 2334 (2016). The resolutions have provided the foundation for the peace process that affirmed the City of Jerusalem as a final status issue, which must be resolved through bilateral negotiations between Palestine and Israel under the framework of the two-state solution.
5. Recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel would only embolden Israel, as the occupying power, to continue with its repressive policies in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, which have caused immense suffering to the Palestinian people. We are concerned that this dire situation will only feed into the agenda of the extremists.
Mr. President,
6. Malaysia is very concern over the dwindling financial support for the works of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine (UNRWA) in providing assistance, protection and advocacy for Palestinian refugees. We therefore urge all member states to fortify their support to the Agency - so as to ensure basic needs of the Palestinian refugees are met, which include educational access to 525,000 boys and girls in 700 UNRWA schools; emergency food assistance and other support, as well as primary health care, including pre-natal care and other life-saving services. On its part, Malaysia will continue to provide assistance, within its means, to UNRWA.
Mr. President,
7. Malaysia sincerely hopes all members of the United Nations can make a helpful contribution in breaking the impasse in the Middle East Peace Process, based on the relevant UNSC resolutions as well as international law and norms.
8. Malaysia continues to believe that a two-state solution, where the Palestinians and the Israelis living side by side in peace, based on the pre-1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as the capital of Palestine, is the only viable solution to this long-standing conflict.
I thank you, Mr. President.