KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia will propose at the Arab-Islamic summit that full support be given to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) to effectively carry out its mandate in Palestine.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said this support includes providing social services and humanitarian aid to the Palestinian people in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, ensuring that these efforts are upheld and strengthened.
"Malaysia intends to leverage this Summit to secure support from Arab and Islamic nations for this initiative.
"Additionally, it aims to oppose the decision made by the Israeli Parliament (Knesset) on Oct 28, which aims to dismantle UNRWA and exacerbate the humanitarian crisis in northern Gaza, where residents have been facing starvation due to prolonged disruption of essential aid," he said in a special session in Dewan Rakyat today.
The summit is scheduled to take place on Nov 11 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and Anwar has been invited to attend by the Saudi Arabia king.
Anadolu Agency had reported that Saudi Arabia would host a joint Arab-Islamic summit on Nov 11 to address Israeli assaults in the Palestinian territories and Lebanon, as well as regional developments.
Anwar added his presence at the summit would also convey the mandate of the lower house and Malaysians.
"In which is to take action to stop the ongoing atrocities committed by Israel against the Palestinian people; the invasion and destruction of places of worship; the open attacks on regions in Lebanon; and Iran, including the killings of Ismail Haniyeh and Yahya Sinwar."
Anwar stressed that it is important for Malaysia and the international community to condemn the genocide in Palestine and to pressure Israel to implement an immediate ceasefire.
The move he said would allow for the delivery of medical aid, food, and other humanitarian necessities to the Palestinian people.
"Additionally, Malaysia aims to mobilise the Special Committee against Apartheid at the UN regarding Israel."
Anwar said one approach that could be taken is for the summit to support the mediation efforts for a ceasefire by the United States, Egypt, and Qatar.
"Since May, these three countries have been developing a framework for an agreement that needs to be approved by all parties involved.
"Our concern arises from the fact that Israel's brutal actions are unlikely to occur without the support of countries that continuously supply weapons to them, including the United States and several European nations," he said.
Anwar added Malaysia's participation as a member of the Global Coalition is also part of the effort to increase diplomatic pressure on Israel to implement a lasting ceasefire in Gaza, call for the release of Palestinian detainees, and address the suffering of the Palestinian people through the immediate restoration of humanitarian aid.
Anwar said during the summit, it would discuss the development of an action plan and identify concrete steps towards achieving Palestinian independence within a reasonable and clear timeframe.
The prime minister said as a country that upholds the principles of justice and international law, Malaysia is committed to advocating for the rights of Palestine as a sovereign and independent state.
"A fair and definitive resolution means putting an end to colonization and dispossession, violence, oppression and genocide."