STATEMENT BY
H.E. SYED MOHAMAD 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
28 JULY 2021, NEW YORK
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Mr. President,
At the outset, allow me to thank you for convening this important open debate. Malaysia aligns itself with the statements delivered by Niger on behalf of the Organisation of the Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and Azerbaijan on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM).
2. For more than 70 years, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict has affected the Middle East landscape, yet it only gains ‘seasonal’ attention and coverage when tensions flare, and the international community takes notice. We must not allow this to be the trend as the suffering in the occupied territories continues unabated. The Security Council as the custodian for maintaining international peace and security, must continue to intensify efforts in finding a final solution to the conflict.
Mr. President,
3. Malaysia welcomes the ceasefire in Gaza on 21 May 2021 and commends all parties, including Egypt that facilitated the ceasefire. Malaysia, together with Egypt and other cross-regional partners, also issued a Joint Communique on a Global Ceasefire on 22 June 2021 calling on all Member States and relevant parties to redouble their efforts to bring peace in the conflicts in which they are parties or have influence through effective participation of all stakeholders. We also stress the importance of addressing the root causes of conflict, as well as inequalities, injustices, and discriminations that have made some of the conflicts and wars protracted. My delegation hopes that this message will receive due attention of the Council in addressing the world’s most enduring conflicts, such as the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
4. Malaysia also calls on the international community to continue supporting the reconstruction efforts in Gaza and provide urgent relief and humanitarian aid to the thousands injured and made homeless by Israel’s attack.
5. At the same time, the international community must not lose sight of the prolonged suffering of the Palestinians and the urgent need to end the illegal Israeli occupation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory. We must come to grip with the reality that the Palestinians continue to live under brutal occupation and within a repressive blockade; their fundamental rights are denied while illegal settlements are being expanded. Regrettably and evidently, the intensity of ferocious and apartheid policies by Israel against Palestinians has become rampant due to the lack of accountability by the international community.
Mr. President,
6. Earlier this month, the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territories told the Human Rights Council that the Israeli settlements did amount to a war crime. He further called on the international community to develop a menu of accountability measures to be applied to Israel should it continue to defy international law, including reviewing trade, investment, and cultural agreements and ending arms sales with Israel.
7. The international community must respond to this call. We cannot sit idly and stop all plots against the Palestinian people, which clearly violates numerous UN resolutions and international law, including humanitarian law. We reiterate the call on the Security Council to uphold its duties, implement its resolutions vis-à-vis the Question of Palestine, and act urgently to address Israel’s annexation plans, which threaten regional and international peace and security.
Mr. President,
8. Malaysia continues to reaffirm our unwavering support and solidarity towards the Palestinian cause in realising their inalienable rights to self-determination, freedom, and independence, including the establishment of an independent and sovereign state of Palestine based on the pre-1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital. We will continue our bilateral assistance to Palestine and support UNRWA to ease the conditions of the Palestinian people.
9. Malaysia believes that there is no alternative to sustainable peace without a negotiated political settlement of a two-state solution. In this context, Malaysia supports the call by the international community, including by the UN Secretary-General for the Middle East Quartet, to find a mutually agreeable path for the parties to re-engage towards a negotiated peaceful settlement.
I thank you, Mr. President.