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STATEMENT BY

MR. SOFIAN AKMAL ABD KARIM

DEPUTY 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

 

27 JULY 2023

 

 

Madam President,

 

Malaysia thanks the United Kingdom for convening this important debate. Our appreciation also goes to the Assistant Secretary-General for the insightful briefing. Malaysia aligns itself with the statements delivered by the OIC and CEIRPP.

 

Madam President,

 

Malaysia is gravely concerned with the continued cycle of violence, and the heightened assaults and destruction in the Occupied Palestinian Territory. Malaysia deplores the indiscriminate and forceful incursions of the refugee camps in the West Bank, which had also damaged UN schools and health facilities.  We are, as always, dismayed by the deaths of innocent civilians including women and children.

 

The United Nations Special Committee to Investigate Israeli Practices Affecting the Human Rights of the Palestinian People and Other Arabs in the Occupied Territories, of which Malaysia is a Member, has reported that the number of Palestinians in the occupied West Bank killed by Israeli Forces in the first five months of 2023 was more than double compared to the same period in 2022.  Clearly, this year will be an even more catastrophic year for Palestinians, further aggravated by forced evictions, home demolitions and forcible transfers in the expansion of illegal settlements, which is a clear violation of international law.

 

Madam President,

 

The lack of accountability on the crimes perpetrated by Israel undermines the legitimacy of international law and efforts towards a viable two-state solution. The impunity enjoyed by Israel has emboldened it to continue with its systematic oppression of the Palestinian people, through discriminatory policies akin to apartheid. To this day, the Council has failed to compel Israel to implement all relevant UN resolutions, including Security Council resolution 2334 of 2016. Malaysia thus, calls on the Security Council to deliver on its duty as the guardian of international peace and security, to stop the double standard when it comes to Israel and to end the injustices against the Palestinian people.

 

In line with General Assembly Resolution 77/247, Malaysia welcomes the call to request for an Advisory Opinion from the International Court of Justice. Malaysia believes that the Court will provide an independent and impartial opinion on the illegal settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories.

 

Malaysia urges Member States to contribute on a consistent and predictable basis to UNRWA, to ensure the basic needs of Palestinian refugees continue to be met.

 

Madam President,

 

Malaysia will always stand with the people of Palestine in their struggle for self-determination. We maintain our support for the two-state solution based on pre-1967 borders, an independent state of Palestine with East Jerusalem as the capital. We believe that this is achievable, if the Security Council exert all efforts to ensure its full implementation.

 

I thank you.