UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL MINISTERIAL-LEVEL OPEN DEBATE ON THE SITUATION IN THE MIDDLE EAST INCLUDING THE PALESTINIAN QUESTION NEW YORK, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, 23 JANUARY 2024
UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL MINISTERIAL-LEVEL OPEN DEBATE ON THE SITUATION IN THE MIDDLE EAST INCLUDING THE PALESTINIAN QUESTION NEW YORK, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, 23 JANUARY 2024
Minister of Foreign Affairs Dato’ Seri Utama Haji Mohamad bin Haji Hasan urged the United Nations Security Council to immediately take united and decisive action to stop the war and save innocent civilian lives in the ongoing carnage in Gaza.
Speaking on 23 January 2024 at the Ministerial-Level Open Debate on the Situation in the Middle East including the Palestinian Question in New York, United States of America, in the presence of his counterparts from 18 countries, he called for an immediate ceasefire and unhindered humanitarian access to end the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza.
Malaysia emphasised the urgent need for the full and swift implementation of Security Council resolutions 2712 and 2720, that are crucial to facilitate humanitarian pauses in Gaza and delivery of humanitarian assistance. Malaysia called for Israel to be held accountable for genocide and violations of international law.
Malaysia reiterated its support for the establishment of a sovereign and free Palestine State through the two-State solution based on pre-1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital. Malaysia also urged for the admission of Palestine as a full Member of the United Nations.
At the margins of the UNSC Open Debate, the Foreign Minister met United Nations Secretary-General (UNSG) H.E. António Guterres. The UNSG acknowledged Malaysia's efforts on the situation of Palestine and Myanmar. The Foreign Minister reiterated Malaysia's unequivocal solidarity with Palestinians and handed over a collection of postcards signed by Malaysian Cabinet Ministers, on behalf of fellow Malaysians, to express support for Palestine. On Myanmar, the Foreign Minister reiterated Malaysia's position and highlighted ASEAN’s ongoing efforts to address the issue.
The Foreign Minister also held bilateral meetings with his counterparts from Palestine, Algeria, Iran and Jordan, covering the urgent issue of the situation in Gaza and also prospects for strengthening bilateral ties, among others.
In his meeting with Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates of the State of Palestine H.E. Dr. Riad Malki, the Foreign Minister reiterated that Malaysia was exploring all avenues to support Palestine and end the atrocities in Gaza, and bring Israel to justice.
The Foreign Minister also met with Minister of Foreign Affairs and National Community Abroad of the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria H.E. Ahmed Attaf, and both sides agreed to elevate bilateral relations through the Malaysia-Algeria Joint Committee.
The discussion with the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, H.E. Ayman Safadi, focused on the situation in Gaza and prospects for broader cooperation between Malaysia and Jordan in the fields of education, security, trade and tourism.
During the meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran, H.E. Hossein Amir Abdollahian, in addition to discussing Malaysia-Iran bilateral relations including exchange of visits, both sides also discussed international issues, such as the situation in the Red Sea.
The Foreign Minister will continue to strongly advocate for Palestine, with Malaysia’s next course of action being the country’s participation at the Public Hearing of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on the request for Advisory Opinion on the Legal Consequences Arising from the Policies and Practices of Israel in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, to be held at the Peace Palace in the Hague, Netherlands, starting from 19 February 2024.
Malaysia is expected to deliver its Oral Statement on 22 February 2024.
PUTRAJAYA
24 January 2024