KUALA LUMPUR, 12 Jan 2009: Members of parliament from the government and the opposition joined forces to condemn the Israeli incursion into Gaza.
Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim proposed that the government summon the United States ambassador to Malaysia to register the people’s strong protest against the support given by the Bush administration to Israel.
“It is Malaysia’s hope that President-elect Barack Obama will be fair to the Palestinians as it is clear that he vehemently supports Israel.
“Malaysians of all races from various parties have shown their utter disgust to an administration which has sided with war criminals and were appalled by the lackadaisical attitude of the Arab leaders in championing their people,” he said.
He was speaking at the special sitting of the Dewan Rakyat to debate a resolution against the Israeli invasion of the Gaza Strip.
Anwar (PKR-Permatang Pauh) also proposed that Malaysia initiate a move along with Brunei and Indonesia, to make a stand against violence and genocide.
PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang (PAS-Marang) said Malaysia should take Israel to the international court for contravening the international law.
Penang Deputy Chief Minister and DAP deputy secretary-general Dr P Ramasamy (DAP-Batu Kawan) said Israel should be labelled a terrorist state for taking a unilateral action to perpetuate its stranglehold on Palestine.
“We must talk to the European Union, Russia and other big powers to resolve the problem as the United Nations has failed to address the issue,” he said.
Umno Youth deputy chief Khairy Jamaluddin (BN-Rembau) described the Palestinian issue as a global problem which could only be solved by the international community.
“The first step to resolve the problem is by imposing a cease-fire,” he said, adding that the world community should apply pressure on Israel, including by applying the economic sanction against Israel.
Khairy also proposed that a peace-keeping force be dispatched to the Gaza strip to protect civilians from being victimised by the Zionist regime.
Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir (BN-Jerlun) called on the UN to draw up a resolution to compel Israel to open up the blockade at the Rafah border between Egypt and the Gaza Strip.
He said this was to facilitate the entry of humanitarian relief into Gaza to provide aid to the hospital and clinic in the area.
“So long as the border remained blocked, I am worried that supplies would only pile up in Cairo and Rafah, south of Jordan and Lebanon, and would not reach the Palestinian people.
“So long as the UN cannot force the opening up of the border to let in the humanitarian convoy, the effort to help war victims in Gaza cannot be carried out,” he said.
Datuk Ibrahim Ali (Independent-Pasir Mas) proposed that civil servants make a salary cut equivalent to one day’s work to be contributed to the Palestinian Fund. — Bernama
See also: Tribunal against Israel justifiable: Rais
UN should set up war crimes tribunal: Abdullah (updated)
