Speeches, Statements & International Documents

STATEMENT BY HIS EXCELLENCY DATO’ SERI UTAMA HAJI MOHAMAD BIN HAJI HASAN MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF MALAYSIA AT THE EXTRAORDINARY OPEN-ENDED MEETING OF THE OIC EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE JEDDAH, SAUDI ARABIA 7 AUGUST 2024

 

His Excellency Mamadou Tangara Chairman of the Executive Committee of the OIC

His Excellency Hissien Brahim Taha Secretary General of the OIC

Excellencies, Distinguished Delegates, Ladies and Gentlemen,

Assalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.

At the outset, allow me to thank the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, for their generous hospitality extended to me and my delegation. We also wish to commend the OIC, the State of Palestine, and the Islamic Republic of Iran, for undertaking this timely and vital initiative.

Mr. Chairman,

2. Our Meeting today is an urgent step in the right direction, amid the horrendous circumstances confronting our Palestinian sisters and brothers, and the escalation of hostilities and tension at a worrying pace, in the Middle East.

3. On behalf of the Malaysian Government and fellow Malaysians, I express our heartfelt condolences and deepest sympathies, to the family of Almarhum Ismail Haniyeh, as well as to the leadership and the people of Palestine.

4. May Allah SWT shower Almarhum’s soul in peace, and place him among the righteous.

5. We also share our sorrow with the grieving families, of more than 40,000 victims in Gaza, as well as the countless more who have perished, at the murderous hands of the Zionist regime, over the span of seven decades.

Mr. Chairman,

6. Israel’s crimes must be put to an end. The world has witnessed their heinous acts for far too long. We cannot allow international law and the UN Charter, to be ignored and undermined any longer. 

7. On 19 July 2024, the International Court of Justice (ICJ), the United Nations’ highest court, ruled that Israel’s continued occupation of the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT) is illegal. It is therefore the collective legal obligation of all States, and international organisations, to bring Israel’s impunity to an end.

8. The following week, the Beijing Declaration on Ending Division and Strengthening Palestinian National Unity was agreed, uniting the 14 Palestinian factions.

9. The ruling of the ICJ and the Beijing Declaration represent our collective hope, that humanity and justice will prevail.

Mr. Chairman,

10. Following our deliberation today, we must continue to reaffirm our support, for the Palestinian cause. Our support must be manifested widely, across global platforms.

11. In doing so, we must leverage the legal foundation arising from the ICJ’s rulings, and the unity forged by the Palestinian factions.

12. Allow me, Mr. Chairman, to outline Malaysia’s proposals:

12.1. First, the OIC may consider establishing a group of eminent persons, to assess and identify measures, to implement the ICJ’s Advisory Opinion, including in the context of universal jurisdiction, and to ensure consistency, in the application of international law.

12.2. Second, the OIC must collectively urge, for the United Nations Special Committee Against Apartheid to be reinstated, and tasked with halting Israeli illegal occupation in the OPT, and apartheid policies against Palestinians.

12.3. Third, the OIC must take the lead, together with Like-Minded Countries, and request for the resumed session of the 10th Emergency Special Session of the UNGA on the Issue of Palestine, to discuss the means and ways to implement or “give effect” to the ICJ’s Advisory Opinion.

12.4. Fourth, we should extend our undivided support and fully assist, the rebuilding of the Palestinian economy, and livelihood post-conflict. This is a key step that would ease their return to normalcy.

Mr. Chairman,

13. Malaysia has always been a strong advocate for peace and stability. As much as we condemn, the assassination of the former Prime Minister of the Palestinian National Authority, we urge all parties to show restraint, to avoid escalating the situation into a regional and global crisis.

14. The attack in Tehran could well be an attempt, to derail the ongoing peace negotiations in the Middle East. We should not fall into their trap. Cool heads must prevail.

15. We should support the continuation of the peace process to be resolved at the negotiating table. Diplomacy is the way to go. 

16. To conclude, I wish to reaffirm Malaysia’s support, for the establishment of an independent and sovereign State of Palestine, based on the pre-1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its Capital, as well as the admission of Palestine as a full Member of the United Nations.

I thank you.