STATEMENT BY H.E. MR. AHMAD FAISAL MUHAMAD PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF MALAYSIA TO THE UNITED NATIONS AT THE 58TH PLENARY MEETING OF THE RESUMED 10TH EMERGENCY SPECIAL SESSION[...]

STATEMENT BY

H.E. MR. AHMAD FAISAL MUHAMAD

PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF MALAYSIA TO THE UNITED NATIONS

AT THE 58TH PLENARY MEETING OF THE

RESUMED 10TH EMERGENCY SPECIAL SESSION OF THE

UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY WEDNESDAY,

11 DECEMBER 2024

____________________________________________________________________________________

Mr. President,

Thank you for convening this meeting. Malaysia aligns with statements of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).

Mr. President,

2. 431 days have passed since Israel's onslaught on Gaza began. Over 44,000 deaths, of mostly women and children, have been recorded. More than 105,000 have been injured. 2024 has also become the deadliest year on record for humanitarian workers, with 178 killed in the Occupied Palestinian Territory alone.

3. The humanitarian situation in Gaza has long been described as 'apocalyptic'. Still, humanitarian aid continues to be obstructed. According to OCHA, between 1st and 30th November, the UN attempted to reach besieged areas in North Gaza 53 times, out of which 48 were denied outright. Five were initially approved, but then severely impeded on the ground. None was facilitated. The situation now has become unimaginably horrific.

4. Israel's bombings have turned Gaza into a barren wasteland. About 60% of buildings in the strip have been destroyed or damaged, creating about 42 million tonnes of rubble, which would take decades to clear. Critical infrastructure, including for clean water and sanitation, has been decimated. The damaging environmental impacts of the bombings pose serious risks to the health and well-being of Gazans, and will endure for a very long time.

5. The situation in the West Bank also continues to worsen. Alarmingly, some Israeli high-ranking officials have openly advocated for annexation. Israeli settlers are growingly emboldened and have become increasingly violent in their attacks and harassments of Palestinians. Illegal settlements continue to spread, along with evictions and demolitions of Palestinian-owned homes and buildings. Israel's security operations have also intensified, which include airstrikes, shelling, live ammunitions and bulldozers, leading to large numbers of deaths, injuries and arbitrary detentions of civilians, as well as extensive destruction of homes and infrastructure.

6. Israel has also been unrelenting in its attacks on the United Nations, its officials and agencies. UNRWA, the backbone of the humanitarian support system for millions of Palestinian refugees, has long become a target of Israel's malicious disinformation and smear campaign. Israel's decision to ban UNRWA's operations is condemnable and can only be understood in terms of Israel's longstanding strategy to repudiate the refugee status of Palestinians and their right to return.

Mr. President,

7. Despite clear evidence of egregious violations of international law by Israel, the international community, particularly the Security Council, has failed to act decisively. The Council's inability to adopt a resolution calling for an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire because of the use of veto, emboldens Israel to be even more ferocious, due to the impunity it continues to enjoy.

8. Malaysia unequivocally condemns Israel's aggression in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, and its offensive in the wider region. We also deplore Israel's ban on UNRWA's operations in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, which undermines the rights of Palestinian refugees, as well as the UN's authority. UNRWA must be defended because its role is essential and irreplaceable.

9. Malaysia therefore urges Member States to support and vote in favour of the two resolutions that are being tabled. The adoption of these resolutions are extremely critical to end the slaughter of innocent civilians - women and children in Gaza, and to ensure the continuation of the much-needed humanitarian activities in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.

Mr. President,

10. Malaysia also calls for an immediate halt to arms and financial support to Israel. This is vital to stop the massacre of children and other innocent civilians in Gaza. In addition, we believe that the Security Council must adopt a Chapter VII resolution against Israel for its genocidal war. It is also about time for Member States to seriously consider whether Israel still deserves its seat in the General Assembly.

11. Malaysia supports recent moves to hold Israeli leaders accountable for the war against humanity and war crimes committed against Palestinians. We urge Member States to support these measures. We must uphold international law to ensure justice, as failure to act will further erode trust in the multilateral process and lead to the breakdown of international law and global order.

Mr. President,

12. Seventy-five years since General Assembly Resolution 181 (II), the quest for Palestinian statehood remains unfulfilled. Malaysia welcomes the upcoming international conference on the question of Palestine next year. It presents the ideal opportunity to implement all relevant UN resolutions towards the full realisation of the self-determination of the Palestinian people. The only way to achieve sustainable peace and stability in the region is by ending Israel's illegal occupation of Palestinian lands and realising a free and independent State of Palestine, according to pre-1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its Capital.

13. Malaysia will continue to be steadfast in its support for the rights of the Palestinians and the creation of a free and independent State of Palestine.

Thank you.

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