Malaysia's proposal to keep UNRWA operational signals strong support for Palestine - Expert

SHAH ALAM - Malaysia’s recent motion to prevent Israel from dismantling the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) marked a bold step that indirectly aimed to ‘restore’ the credibility of the United Nations (UN), which has struggled to uphold its protective mandate.

Security and International Relations expert at the Universiti Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia (UPNM), Professor Dr Mohd Mizan Mohammad Aslam said that while it was unlikely for Israel to accept the proposal and allow UNRWA to resume its operations, the effort symbolised a powerful show of solidarity.

He also suggested that the government had anticipated the consequences of proposing such a motion, including the potential backlash from Israel over Malaysia’s stance on UN membership for Israel.

“I commend the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and the Malaysian government for their principled and courageous actions, such as defending UNRWA, calling for Israel’s removal from the UN, and maintaining our commitment to the Unifil (United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon) peacekeeping mission in Southern Lebanon.

“In the past, we even barred Israeli ships from docking. All these actions reflect our strong principles and unwavering support for Palestine.

“The Prime Minister’s decision to bring up the UNRWA motion in Riyadh is, in my view, the right move. UNRWA has, in many respects, failed to operate effectively, largely due to persistent accusations, destruction, and direct attacks,” he told Sinar when contacted.

Mizan’s comments came in response to the Anwar’s announcement of his intent to rally support for UNRWA to continue its mandate of delivering social services and humanitarian aid to Palestinians at the upcoming summit in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

He further clarified that UNRWA’s existence was critical, especially given Israel's increasingly hostile stance under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s leadership.

“If we examine the situation, Israel has become outright hostile toward the UN, viewing it as an impediment.

"This hostility is evident in its direct attacks on UNRWA, UNIFIL, and escalating provocations.

“By putting forward this proposal, we are indeed challenging them, and it’s clear Israel will not take kindly to this.

"They already have a deep animosity towards Malaysia, and raising the UNRWA issue will only intensify their disapproval,” he added.

Addressing potential repercussions for Malaysia, he stated that the government had undoubtedly assessed the risks involved.

“There will certainly be impacts, such as trade pressures and potential investment limitations, but the likelihood of being completely shut out is minimal.

“I see our motion to remove Israel from the UN as a bold and significant stance. While there may be pressure, it won’t deter us from moving forward.

“Malaysia is now adopting a firm and courageous position. It’s not just us; if we look globally, many countries are frustrated with Israel’s actions, though they feel powerless to act,” he said.