ArchiveS ArchiveS

STATEMENT

BY MR AZRIL ABD. AZIZ

DEPUTY PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF MALAYSIA TO THE UNITED NATIONS

 

AT THE OPEN DEBATE OF THE UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL

ON THE SITUATION IN THE MIDDLE EAST INCLUDING THE QUESTION OF PALESTINE

 

18 JANUARY 2023

 

 

Mr President,

 

At the outset, Malaysia wishes to thank you for convening this open debate. We also thank Mr. Tor Wennesland for his briefing. 

 

2.         The update that we have heard today is extremely concerning with among others the continued killing of the Palestinians, demolition of houses and schools, expansion of illegal settlements and attacks by illegal settlers. Last year was one of the deadliest year with more than 230 lives lost, including those of innocent children. We are barely in the year 2023 and yet 14 Palestinians have been killed including 4 children. Malaysia reiterates its condemnation of the continued atrocities and abuses committed against the Palestinians by the Israeli regime.

 

Mr. President,

 

3.         Malaysia is equally appalled by the recent incursion of Al-Haram Al-Sharif by an Israeli Minister on 3 January 2023. This provocative act is simply outrageous, and undermines efforts towards peaceful resolution of the Question of Palestine. It clearly is another effort by Israel to assert its sovereignty on the Holy City and change the historical and legal status quo at the Holy Sites in Jerusalem. Malaysia calls upon the international community to urge Israel to fully respect UNSCR 2334 (2016) which condemns among others acts of provocation and incitement.

 

4.         Such behaviour must not be condoned under any circumstances, as it jeopardises the longstanding goal of a sovereign Palestinian state which the international community has been relentlessly pursuing. It is imperative that this Council views this provocative and inflammatory action seriously.  Affirmative action by this Council is therefore crucial. It is incumbent upon this Council to ensure full protection of the Palestinian people. So long as the international community and this Council remain in paralysis, the apartheid regime will continue its dastardly actions against the people of Palestine with impunity. Israel must therefore be held accountable for its horrendous crime and deliberate breach of numerous laws and resolutions.

 

5.         Malaysia also strongly condemns Israeli’s retaliation measures mounted on the Palestinians, including the restriction of movement of Palestinian authorities and other punitive measures. Such unilateral actions not only reaffirms the systematic apartheid practices in isolating the Palestinian community, but it also reflects Israel’s contempt, and lack of faith and respect towards the primacy of the UN, and its judicial body, the ICJ as well as international law and multilateralism. The international community should in fact render its full support to Palestine in its endeavour for an advisory opinion from the Court. A referral to the ICJ is a testament to the important role bestowed upon it by the UN Charter.

 

Mr. President,

 

6.         The protracted agony and sufferings of the Palestinian people in pursuing their inalienable right to an independent, free and sovereign State has continued for far too long. And like many of us here in this Chamber, the people of Palestine have the same rights to live in dignity and freedom. They deserve to join the community of nations as citizens of a full member of the UN like all of us.

 

7.         Malaysia will continue to stand with the people of Palestine and expresses its unwavering support and solidarity with them. We remain convinced that the internationally-recognised two-state solution with East Jerusalem as the capital of Palestine based on pre-1967 borders can be realised if the international community, especially members of this Council, exert all efforts to ensure its full implementation.

 

I thank you.