STATEMENT BY
HIS EXCELLENCY AMBASSADOR AHMAD FAISAL MUHAMMAD
PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF MALAYSIA TO THE UNITED NATIONS
INFORMAL PLENARY MEETING OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY
“HUMANITARIAN BRIEFING IN GAZA”
20 NOVEMBER 2023
We thank the President of the General Assembly, for convening the informal plenary meeting. Malaysia, as a member of the OIC supported the request for the convening of the briefing, and we associate ourselves with the statement of the OIC.
2. We thank the briefers for their updates. We pay tribute to all humanitarian workers who continue to show extraordinary courage, dedication and commitment. We express our deepest condolences on the loss of more than 100 UNRWA staff.
Mr. President,
3. Malaysia is gravely concerned with the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza, which according to the briefing last Friday, continues to deteriorate. The condition has been described as catastrophic for weeks. By now, we have run out of words to describe it.
4. We have heard that a child is being killed every ten minutes, and that Gaza has become a graveyard for children. Al-Shifa Hospital has been described as a “death zone”. A group of UN experts issued a statement on 16th November warning us that “grave violations committed by Israel” in Gaza “point to a genocide in the making”. And yet until today, our efforts to stop the carnage of civilians remains futile.
5. The adoption of the resolution 2712 by the Security Council was long overdue but was a breakthrough. It provides a temporary solution to urgently address the desperate humanitarian needs of Gaza. All parties must comply with the demands of the resolution. Safe, unhindered and unimpeded humanitarian access must be urgently granted and the supply of humanitarian aid up to scale must be ensured. Importantly, the supply of fuel, water and electricity must be restored. Malaysia categorically rejects the forced displacement of Palestinians and the idea of unilaterally establishing so-called ‘safe-zones’. We condemn indiscriminate attacks on hospitals and schools. We agree with all briefers that an immediate ceasefire is extremely critical. It is the only way to stop further loss of innocent lives.
Mr. President,
6. Malaysia will do whatever it can to alleviate the suffering of Palestinians. So far, Malaysians have raised USD4.9 million for our Humanitarian Trust Fund for the People of Palestine. USD2.1 million from this fund has been channelled to UNRWA, while the rest is donated as humanitarian aid. Two planeloads of about 38 tonnes of humanitarian aid have been delivered. We thank Egypt for its cooperation. Malaysia will continue to work closely with all international partners in humanitarian efforts to assist the people of Gaza.
7. Malaysia reiterates its unwavering support for the inalienable right of the Palestinian people to self-determination, in a free and independent state of Palestine. It is the only way to ensure durable peace in the region.
I thank you.