Malaysia calls for global support for UNRWA, rejects Israel’s move to delegitimise agency

Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim called on the international community to unwaveringly support the vital role of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).

In a statement, the Foreign Ministry said Anwar addressed the Extraordinary Arab and Islamic Summit on Monday in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, categorically rejecting Israel's decision to delegitimise the international body.

"He (Anwar) reaffirmed Malaysia's commitment to UNRWA and its indispensable role in delivering critical humanitarian assistance to alleviate the suffering of Palestinian refugees," the ministry said.

On Monday, the Extraordinary Arab and Islamic Summit in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, convened to discuss measures to end the ongoing genocide against the Palestinian people.

At the summit, Anwar reiterated Malaysia's commitment to ending the ongoing aggression by Israel, supporting the Palestinian cause, and endorsing the resolution issued by the Extraordinary Arab and Islamic Summit.

"Malaysia reconfirmed her commitment to the reconstruction of Gaza, highlighting the critical need for an immediate and coordinated international response to achieve this objective that would facilitate the return of the displaced Palestinian people to their homeland," the statement read.

The Foreign Ministry said Anwar also condemned in the strongest terms Israel's deliberate attacks on the UN Peacekeeping mission in Lebanon (UNIFIL), a clear violation of the UN Charter and international humanitarian law, and called for the suspension or expulsion of Israel from the United Nations.

"The prime minister called upon the international community to implement initiatives including the introduction of an immediate arms embargo with the aim to put an end to Israel's year-long genocide against the Palestinian people.

"Decisive actions are paramount in eliminating the Zionist Israeli regime's blatant and unchecked aggression, which has also threatened the stability of the region following the regime's flagrant strikes in Lebanon, Iraq, Iran, Yemen, and Syria," the statement read.

On the margins of the Summit, Anwar also met with leaders from Kuwait, Lebanon, the Maldives and Saudi Arabia to discuss the situation in Palestine, measures to strengthen bilateral cooperation and Malaysia's upcoming ASEAN Chairmanship 2025, as well as the hosting of the ASEAN-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Summit and ASEAN-GCC + China Summit.

Anwar was accompanied by Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan and senior government officials.

--BERNAMA

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