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Activists demand action as Gaza casualties climb: 'They are not just numbers'

 

 

KUALA LUMPUR: Academics, politicians, pro-Palestinian activists, and non-governmental organisations are urging the government and public to maintain support for Palestinian freedom amid the ongoing violence in Gaza.

Palestine Solidarity Secretariat (SSP) spokesperson Tian Chua said there was a need for a new governmental strategy to continue countering Israeli actions.

He suggested that the government impose conditions on foreign investments, blocking companies directly involved in financing Israel.

"We should add another layer and also exclude any entity complicit with the US and Israel from investing here," he said during the One Day International Conference on Palestine: Exploring Asian Perspectives.

The former PKR vice-president highlighted Malaysia's historical influence on the global stage, saying that smaller nations could drive change, as seen in South Africa's anti-Apartheid movement.

In July, he had called for a reversal of the government's decision to sell shares in Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad (MAHB) to a BlackRock-linked, pro-Israel company.

In line with these sentiments, Malaysians have increasingly boycotted the US and Israeli-backed brands like McDonald's and Starbucks since the Gaza conflict escalated last year.

According to the Palestinian Health Ministry, Israel's military offensive, beginning on Oct 7 last year, has led to at least 1,788 Palestinian deaths and 96,794 injuries.

Former Foreign Minister Tan Sri Dr Syed Hamid Albar stressed the need for Malaysia to sustain its advocacy efforts against Israeli actions in Gaza.

He urged every Malaysian to contribute to raising public awareness, which he believes will amplify Palestinian voices and encourage the government to prioritise peace and justice.

"We must call on global leaders to uphold the rule of law and pursue peace with integrity," Syed Hamid said, also criticising the United Nations (UN) for failing to act against Israel.

Former Permatang Pauh member of Parliament Nurul Izzah Anwar echoed this critique, urging global sanctions on Israel and advocating for its removal from the UN.

Ledang MP Syed Ibrahim Syed Noh, who chairs the Malaysian Parliament Caucus for Palestine, called on all Malaysians to stand against the violence in Gaza.

"Let us remind the world that the people of Gaza are not just numbers; they are mothers, fathers, children, and human beings with dreams and hopes. Asia's commitment to Palestine is a commitment to humanity," he said.

Malaysian Humanitarian Aid and Relief (Mahar) president Jismi Johari shared the challenges of delivering humanitarian aid from Malaysia, highlighting that various restrictions imposed by the Israeli military, as well as objections from local activists, had hindered efforts to reach the Palestinians.

He acknowledged that after a year of continuous effort, those involved in the humanitarian mission were feeling burnt out, but he stressed the importance of maintaining support for the Palestinians.

"It has been a year, and those engaged in the humanitarian mission are exhausted, but we must remember that the people in Gaza still need us. We must continue our advocacy," he said, adding that aid from Malaysia could take up to three months to arrive in Gaza.

Meanwhile, Dr Nor Aishah Hanifa, a defence expert from Universiti Pertahanan Malaysia (UPNM), observed that the boycott campaign against US-linked products had been effective, resonating not only with Malaysian adults but also with children.

However, she pointed out that discussions about the Israeli invasion were limited outside of Malay and English media, calling for more advocacy among non-Muslim segments of society to garner support for the cause.

"Non-Muslims are often unaware of the seriousness of this issue. To foster a spirit of humanity and solidarity, more efforts must be made in Malaysia. I hope Muslim NGOs can engage with non-Muslim communities," she said.

 

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