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STATEMENT BY

H.E. MR. AHMAD FAISAL MUHAMAD

PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF MALAYSIA TO THE UNITED NATIONS

 

AT THE UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL OPEN DEBATE ON THE SITUATION IN THE MIDDLE EAST, INCLUDING THE PALESTINIAN QUESTION

 

 

Mr President,

 

My delegation thanks you for convening this debate, and the Secretary-General for his briefing.

 

2. Malaysia is gravely concerned by the escalation of tensions in the Middle East.  We urge all parties to exercise restraint and cease all provocative and hostile acts.

 

3. We must not lose sight that the question of Palestine remains at the core of the volatility in the Middle East. Israel’s collective punishment of the Palestinians and its disproportionate and indiscriminate military onslaught on Gaza for over 200 days now, have led to unprecedented catastrophic humanitarian consequences.  For example, we are horrified by the destruction of Nasser and Al Shifa hospitals and the discovery of mass graves in their compounds.  We demand independent, thorough and transparent international investigations.   

 

4. Israel continues to defy UN resolutions, including Resolution 2728 (2024), adopted less than a month ago by this Council, which calls for Israel to immediately cease its offensive and lift barriers to international aid.  It continues to disregard its obligations under international law and ignore the repeated calls by the international community, including from among its staunchest allies, to do more to protect civilians.

 

 

5. We are shocked by Israel’s planned military assault on Rafah, despite warnings from the international community and humanitarian agencies that it would lead to disastrous outcomes.

 

Mr President,

 

6. Israel’s brutality against Palestinians has enraged people across the region, and beyond.

 

7.  The impunity that Israel has long enjoyed, has emboldened it to act recklessly.  This has to stop. This Council must act resolutely and decisively, to enforce compliance on the part of Israel, because the consequences could be extremely perilous, not only for the region but also the world.

 

8. A sustained and permanent ceasefire in Gaza is the fundamental first step towards de-escalating tensions in the region.  The supply of humanitarian aid, at scale, into and throughout Gaza must resume.  Palestinians must not be forcibly displaced out of Gaza.  All hostages and those in administrative detention, must be released.  The sale of arms and funds to sustain Israel’s military offensive in Gaza, which has clearly contravened International Humanitarian Law, must cease. 

 

9. UNWRA’s function as the primary human development agency for the Palestinian refugees, is indispensable and irreplaceable, and thus, must continue to be supported.  Malaysia welcomes the final report of the Independent Review Group, which acknowledges the already extensive mechanisms and procedures within UNRWA, to ensure neutrality.  We also welcome UNRWA’s commitment to implement the recommendations to its best ability.  Sufficient resources must be allocated to UNRWA towards this endeavour.

 

 

 

Mr President,

 

10. Malaysia deeply regrets the failure of this Council to support the application of the State of Palestine to become a full member of the United Nations.  This Council has had a momentous opportunity to help fulfil the right to self-determination of the Palestinian people, a right enshrined in the UN Charter.  Admitting the State of Palestine as a full member of this organisation would have been, without any doubt, the right thing to do.

 

11. 140 members of the United Nations have recognised the State of Palestine. And many more will do so in the very near future.  Furthermore, Palestine has proven itself worthy of membership through its active participation at all UN platforms.  Clearly, there is no plausible reason why Palestine should continue to be denied of full membership. 

 

12.  Supporting Palestine’s full membership would have been the crucial first step to address the root cause of the incessant instability in the region that is, the longstanding illegal occupation of Palestinian lands by Israel.  It is ludicrous that those who have repeatedly expressed their support for the two-State solution as the only way to guarantee sustainable peace and security in the region, could not support the full membership of the State of Palestine.        

 

Mr President,

 

13.  We are at a precarious juncture. The choice we make today may lead to far-reaching, tumultuous and dangerous consequences.  It is a moment that begs us to reflect and act with wisdom and courage.  We must not allow the fate of the Middle East and the world, to be dictated by an individual whose only motive is his own political survival.  We must stand up and resist, for the consequences of our failure could be most devastating, for us all.

 

I thank you.