Malaysia's support for the Palestinian struggle unquestionable - Palestinian Ambassador

SHAH ALAM - Malaysia has always been in solidarity with Palestinians' struggle, and the country's support for Palestine is unquestionable.

Palestinian Ambassador to Malaysia Walid Abu Ali said Malaysia has made every effort to help Palestine and even Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, in a recent speech at the United Nations (UN) and previously in Jakarta emphasised the importance of the Palestinian sttuggle.

"I dare say this not because I'm the Palestinian Ambassador to Malaysia, but Malaysia's role in the Palestinian issue is unquestionable.

"Malaysians often express their support and solidarity for Palestine and no one can dispute that.

"The Prime Minister (Anwar) even raises awareness about the Palestinian issue and expressed Malaysia's support for the Palestinian people and I am very proud of that," he said during an interview with Sinar.

He said like Malaysia, citizens of Maldives which was one of the smallest Islamic countries and Thailand have also expressed their support and solidarity with Palestine.

"Yes, many people in Muslim countries express their support and solidarity. I am deeply moved and proud. The sympathy we receive from the people is highly appreciated," he said.

He said he also hoped that the Muslim community will unite and make the Palestinian struggle a top priority, but unfortunately this was not the main focus of most of the Islamic countries.

Besides that, Walid said he also met with Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir in Parliament and suggested that Malaysia sponsor a resolution through the international community and the UN as requested by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas for a global protection force to safeguard the Palestinian people from Israel's violations of international law.

He said Israel's violations of international law, such as illegal settlements and their ongoing presence throughout Gaza, in addition to frequent incursions into the Al-Aqsa Mosque, raised the question on whether they thought that the people of Gaza will remain silent when they attack.

"Palestinians are united in ending Israel's illegal occupation of Gaza because it poses the greatest threat to us.

"We must implement UN resolutions and end Israel's illegal occupation. We are entitled to enjoy freedom and an independent Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital," he said.

Without an independent Palestinian state, Israel will never have security and the Middle East will never experience stability, he added.

Walid said Israel has attempted peace agreements with Egypt and Jordan and succeded in the normalisation of diplomatic relations with several Arab countries knowing that the key to any stability in the Middle East was for Israel to recognise an independent Palestinian state.

Without it, he said Israel will never live in peace.