Malaysia backs Israel’s expulsion from United Nations

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addresses the United Nations General Assembly in New York in September. Photo: Getty Images/TNS

Malaysia has joined forces with a core group of disaffected countries drafting a United Nations resolution that could lead to Israel's expulsion if it is found to have violated international law, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim announced.

During a ministerial address in parliament on Monday, Anwar revealed that the draft resolution is currently under negotiation and is expected to be presented at the UN General Assembly for approval soon.

Malaysia is part of a core group that is aiming to seek an advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice regarding Israel's obligations to permit the presence and activities of international and UN agencies in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, Anwar said.

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Other members of the group include Egypt, Indonesia, Namibia, Norway, Qatar and Saudi Arabia.

"We will study if Israel can be removed as a member of the UN if there is a violation of international laws," Anwar told parliament.

He said the resolution would serve as a legal foundation for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) to continue providing essential services for the 6 million or so Palestinian refugees living in Gaza, the West Bank, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria.

"This includes healthcare and humanitarian aid," Anwar added.

On Monday last week, Israel's parliament, the Knesset, passed legislation prohibiting UNRWA from operating in Gaza, the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem.

In light of Israel's ban on UNRWA's humanitarian operations, Anwar emphasised Malaysia's commitment to supporting the agency's efforts in providing aid to Palestinians.

The Malaysian prime minister reflected on the agency's long-standing role, telling lawmakers that the UNRWA has been the main lifeline for channelling international aid to Palestinian people for the past 75 years.

"Malaysia's continued support for UNRWA is critical," he said, citing appreciation from the agency's head Philippe Lazzarini, who expressed gratitude to Malaysia's foreign minister during a recent UN session "and requested for this collaboration to be enhanced".

Responding to parliamentary questions about support for UNRWA, Anwar confirmed Malaysia's ongoing commitment, including financial assistance.

"We have previously announced humanitarian support in terms of over 100 million ringgit (US$23.3 million) cash assistance. We have brought patients and children in critical conditions, especially from Gaza, for treatment at military hospitals and this will be continued," he said.

"Specifically for UNRWA, so far, the funds that have been allocated and handed over is 25 million ringgit."

Anwar concluded by mentioning ongoing discussions between Malaysia's foreign ministry and the UNRWA to assess and address the agency's "urgent needs".

This article was first published byThe Star

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