Israel justifies Gaza and Lebanon strikes as counterterrorism, targets Yemen, Sudan, Libya next
Arab world urged to realise that watching suffering won’t bring stability
SHAH ALAM - Palestinian Ambassador to Malaysia Walid Abu Ali stressed that Israel framed its actions in Gaza as a fight against Hamas and in South Lebanon as a battle against Hezbollah, using counterterrorism to justify the violence.
“But the casualties, Palestinians and Lebanese alike, were largely innocent civilians, not members of Hamas or Hezbollah.
"This is state terrorism, carried out against Palestinians, Lebanese, and Iraqis,” he said during The Palestinian Diaries: A Day of Culture, Stories & Solidarity, organised by Sinar Daily at Kumpulan Karangkraf on Tuesday.
He added that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was aware that this warfare could end his political career, with the possibility of him facing legal consequences.
“To avoid this, he is escalating the conflict, expanding Israel's objectives across the region, potentially targeting Yemen, Sudan, and Libya,” he said.
The ambassador also emphasised that the Arab and Muslim world needed to understand that merely watching Palestinian suffering would not bring stability to the Middle East.
“Lasting peace can only come when the international community recognises Palestinian rights and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state.
“Israel, with the backing of the American administration and many European nations, believes it has the freedom to act as it pleases,” he said.
Walid highlighted that since October 7, 2023, Israeli propaganda had tried to convince the international community that history began on that date, which he stated was misleading.
“The Palestinian struggle dates back to 1948 and the events of October 7 were a direct consequence of Israeli occupation.
"For 16 years, Palestinians in Gaza have endured a crippling siege, while those in the West Bank face daily attacks by Israeli settlers.
“Al Masjid Al Aqsa is also invaded regularly. The violence of October 7 was not an isolated incident but a reaction to years of Israeli actions,” he said.
