Demonstrating Malaysia’s strong and unwavering support for Palestine, Minister of Foreign Affairs Dato’ Seri Utama Haji Mohamad bin Haji Hasan will participate at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) Ministerial-Level Open Debate on the Situation in the Middle East including the Palestinian Question in New York, United States of America, on 23 January 2024.

At the Security Council, the Foreign Minister will reiterate Malaysia’s call for an immediate ceasefire, oppose the continuing forced displacement of Palestinians and stress the urgent need for unhindered humanitarian aid to address the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza. Malaysia will demand accountability for Israel’s flagrant violations of international law.

The Foreign Minister will advocate for the acceptance of the State of Palestine as a full Member of the United Nations, to advance their inalienable rights to self-determination, national independence and sovereignty that have long been denied, on the basis of a two-State solution based on pre-1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital.

The Foreign Minister is also scheduled to meet His Excellency António Guterres, the United Nations Secretary-General (UNSG), to express support for his latest call for rapid, safe, unhindered, expanded and sustained humanitarian access into and across Gaza. Malaysia will also express support to Under-Secretary-General Her Excellency Sigrid Kaag as she takes on the responsibility as Senior Humanitarian and Reconstruction Coordinator for Gaza. Malaysia acknowledges the ongoing multilateral efforts to address the ongoing Situation in Palestine.

Carrying the voices of Malaysians for Palestinians, the Foreign Minister will also hand over special postcards from the Prime Minister and Members of Cabinet, addressed to the UNSG, urging the United Nations to accept Palestine as a full Member State, while reiterating the call for an immediate ceasefire.

In addition to diplomatic efforts, Malaysia is also involved in international legal action on the Palestinian Issue. The Foreign Minister is expected to lead the Malaysian delegation to the Public Hearing Session to request the International Court of Justice’s (ICJ) Advisory Opinion on the legal consequences arising from the policies and practices of Israel in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, to be held at the Peace Palace in the Hague, Netherlands, starting from 19 February 2024. Malaysia is expected to deliver its Oral Statement on 22 February 2024.