By Danial Dzulkifly and Yasmin Ramlan
KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 9 — Malaysia will consistently reject any attempts to normalise ties with Israel, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said today amid the ongoing conflict between the Zionist administration and pro-Palestine group Hamas.
He also announced a rally scheduled for this Friday in solidarity with the Palestinian cause, and invited Malaysians of all ethnicities and religions to join.
Zahid, however, stopped short of providing further details on the planned gathering.
Speaking in Parliament, Zahid pointed out that Malaysia has always been at the forefront in championing the rights of the Palestinian people, firmly opposing actions that could jeopardise their pursuit of statehood and justice.
“The Palestinians’ rights and lands must be rightfully restored and liberated from the oppressive grasp of the Zionist regime that champions apartheid policies.
“We stand resolutely against any normalisation (of a relationship) with Israel and Malaysia’s standpoint on this has always been consistent,” he said in his winding-up speech in the Dewan Rakyat, here.
Earlier today, Zahid had issued a ministerial statement in Parliament on the country’s stand over the war in Palestine before MPs from both sides of the aisle debated on the matter.
The deputy prime minister also expressed his gratitude to government and opposition lawmakers who participated in the debate, all of whom were unified in support of his motion.
This unity illustrates a collective commitment to the Palestinian cause, advocating their right to statehood, restoration of rights, and the cessation of all hostilities, he said.
Meanwhile, drawing parallels to other past injustices, Zahid had this poignant question to ask global leaders: “The world came together in condemning apartheid in South Africa; why the hesitance when it’s about Israel?”
Earlier, Hulu Langat MP Mohd Sany Hamzan had urged the government to organise a rally condemning Israeli atrocities against the Palestinians.
“Those who were killed (by Israel) are just like our families… I hope the prime minister (Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim) or deputy prime minister (Zahid) will do whatever it takes, such as a rally or demonstration to condemn Israeli violence,” he said.
Sany also expressed the need for nations globally to step up, adding that Malaysia must continue to be vocal on its position on the conflict.
In his ministerial statement earlier, Zahid expressed the government’s grave concerns over the mounting casualties and unequivocally denounced the provocations and hostile acts perpetrated by the Israeli regime.
The ongoing conflict has claimed thousands of lives, with many more wounded or captured.
