THE HONOURABLE DATO' SERI SYED HAMID ALBAR
MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS, MALAYSIA
IN MALAYSIA’S CAPACITY AS CHAIRMAN OF THE NON-ALIGNED MOVEMENT (NAM)
ON THE SITUATION IN THE MIDDLE EAST
Malaysia, in its capacity as Chair and on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement, expresses its serious concern at the continued deterioration of the situation in the Middle East in recent weeks, particularly in Gaza and Lebanon. The excessive and indiscriminate use of force by Israel has caused extensive damage to properties, serious injuries and loss of civilian lives, including children. It is regrettable that the calls made by the international community for Israel to halt its military offensive and withdraw its troops have fallen on deaf ears.
The Non-Aligned Movement condemns the disproportionate use of force by Israel in Gaza and Lebanon and the detention of Palestinian Ministers, members of the Palestinian Legislative Council and other Palestinian officials. NAM firmly rejects the collective punishment of the Palestinian and Lebanese peoples. Israel’s unilateral military actions have undermined the efforts made by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas vis-à-vis Palestinian political parties, aimed at promoting a final political settlement on the basis of the two-state solution.
Israel’s brutal military actions in Gaza and Beirut, including attacks upon Palestinian governmental institutions — which ignore the principles of international law — have not only weakened efforts towards peace but also reflect its lack of seriousness to be a genuine “Partner for Peace”. It is deeply regrettable that at a time when efforts should be made to resuscitate the peace process, the Israeli Government has chosen to undermine them, clearly demonstrating Israel’s cynical attitude towards the peace process.
The international community, particularly the United Nations Security Council and the Quartet, should make every effort to ensure that these aggressive military actions by Israel do not lead to a widening of the conflict involving other countries in the region. They must exert efforts for an immediate ceasefire and the deployment of an international force, so as to de-escalate the conflict and stabilise the situation, and take other confidence-building measures between the parties, with the objective of resuming the peace process.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
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