News From Mission News From Mission

STATEMENT BY

 

H.E. MR. AHMAD FAISAL MUHAMAD

PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF MALAYSIA TO THE UNITED NATIONS

 

AT THE INFORMAL MEETING OF THE UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY ON THE UNITED NATIONS RELIEF AND WORKS AGENCY FOR

PALESTINE REFUGEES IN THE NEAR EAST (UNRWA)

 

 

President,

 

Thank you for convening this informal plenary meeting. We thank Commissioner-General Lazzarini for his honest and sobering briefing.

 

President,

 

2.         Eight months ago, we convened in this august hall to discuss the serious threat to the implementation of UNRWA’s mandate. At that time, 160 of the Agency staff had already lost their lives in Gaza. In addition, a few donor countries had suspended their funding to the Agency, as a result of the malicious smear campaign and disinformation by Israel.

 

3.         Eight months later, although almost all donors have resumed their funding to UNRWA, the situation of the Agency and the Palestinian people have sadly taken a turn for the worst. 79 more UNRWA staff have lost their lives, bringing the total number of casualties to 239. More than two-thirds of the Agency’s installations have been damaged or destroyed. And the most severe blow dealt to the Agency is the passage of bills by the Israeli Knesset on 28 October 2024, banning the operations of UNRWA.

 

4.         Malaysia unequivocally condemns the passage of these bills.  This move is not only an affront to UNRWA. It is a direct challenge to the authority of the General Assembly. It is a clear contravention of the United Nations Charter. UNRWA is the backbone, not only of humanitarian work in Gaza, but all essential services to Palestinian refugees. Its role is indispensable and irreplaceable. We all must realise that this move by the Knesset is part of Israel’s insidious plan to repudiate the status of Palestinian refugees, and deny their right to return.

 

5.         Israel’s blatant disregard of its obligations under international law and its brazen offensive against a UN entity mandated by the General Assembly is simply outrageous. This is yet another deliberate confrontation by Israel against the United Nations, and it must be met with a decisive response.  It is extremely vital that the international community unite and defend the United Nations, which is instrumental for the maintenance of the rules-based international order. Malaysia thus lends its support for the resumption of the 10^th Emergency Special Session of the General Assembly.

 

6.         Member States who have so far felt compelled to defend Israel despite the obvious gross violations it commits, must reconsider their positions.  Failure to do so can make them complicit in the crimes perpetrated by Israel.  To be in solidarity with Israel also means being party to Israel’s sinister plan to undermine international law, which can lead to a total breakdown of the rules based international order. 

 

President,

 

7.         Malaysia continues to be deeply concerned with the chronic funding shortfalls faced by UNRWA. It prevents the Agency from providing essential lifesaving services in all its fields of operation. We call on States to continue supporting UNRWA, by ensuring that the Agency receives adequate funding. We commend donors that have stepped up to help mitigate the Agency’s funding shortfalls.

 

8.         In conclusion, Malaysia reiterates its unwavering, long-standing support towards UNRWA, and calls on all States to defend the Agency and ensure its continued operation in the face of this vicious assault by Israel.

 

I thank you.