Situation in Gaza – Malaysian Prime Minister – Press statement, Letter from Malaysia

    Letter dated 22 January 2008 from the Permanent Representative of Malaysia to the United Nations addressed to the President of the Security Council

  I have the honour to transmit herewith a press statement by Dato’ Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, Prime Minister of Malaysia, on the situation in Gaza (see annex).

  I would be grateful if you would have the present letter and its annex circulated as a document of the Security Council for discussion under the agenda item entitled “The situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question”, to be held today, 22 January 2008.

(Signed) Hamidon Ali

Ambassador

Permanent Representative

    Annex to the letter dated 22 January 2008 from the Permanent Representative of Malaysia to the United Nations addressed to the President of the Security Council

    Press statement by the Honourable Dato’ Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, Prime Minister of Malaysia, on the situation in Gaza

  Malaysia condemns the blockade imposed by the Israelis and the closing of all border crossings between Israel and the Palestinian territory in Gaza. The blockade has exacerbated the already worsening humanitarian crisis in the area, and this will cause a humanitarian catastrophe.

  The Palestinians have the right of access to food, fuel and medicine. The inhumane action by the Israelis would make the living conditions of the Palestinian people even more unbearable.

  The Israeli action contravenes international law, and the collective punishment of the innocent civilian population of Gaza is unacceptable under any circumstance.

  Malaysia calls on the international community to force the Israelis to lift the blockade immediately and end the sufferings of the people in Gaza. Malaysia also calls on the Secretary-General to hold an open-ended session of the Security Council to enable other United Nations members to participate in the debate on the grave situation in Gaza.

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