KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia has urged the international community to act against Israel’s Zionist regime for war crimes by hauling it to the International Criminal Court (ICC).
Describing Israel as the world’s thug, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said Malaysia would continue to call for Israel to face the ICC for atrocities against the Palestinian people as well as the May 31 attack on the Freedom Flotilla vessel MV Mavi Marmara.
The ship was part of a flotilla carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza. Israeli troops also intercepted and seized another aid ship, Rachel Corrie, off the coast of Gaza on Saturday.
“Malaysia also urges countries which have a similar stand to submit proposals to the United Nations general assembly to obtain an advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice,” Najib said when he tabled an emergency motion in the Dewan Rakyat yesterday to condemn the attacks.
Members of parliament from both sides of the house were united in condemning the Zionist regime. Some of the MPs were also seen wearing the keffiyeh, or Palestinian scarf, around their shoulders.
Among them were Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir (BN-Jerlun), Dr Mohd Hatta Ramli (Pas-Kuala Krai) and Datuk Mahfuz Omar (Pas-Pokok Sena).
The keffiyeh was regularly worn by the late Palestinian leader, Yasser Arafat, and is commonly seen as the symbol of the Palestinian struggle.
Najib wanted Israel to pay damages and compensation for all properties, including food, construction equipment, medicine and ships, that were seized as well as personal properties belonging to members of the aid convoy.
Malaysia also demanded that Israel pay compensation for causing mental, physical and psychological trauma as well as any other compensation deemed fit by ICC.
Najib also took the United Nations to task for its ineffectiveness in censuring Israel and pointed out Israel’s arrogance stemmed from support from the United States.
“For the past six decades, the Zionist regime has continuously oppressed the Palestinian people. Despite various resolutions passed by the Security Council of the United Nations, these werecontinuously ignored by Israel.
“We know for a fact that if the same acts were committed by other countries, these countries would be subjected to a variety of actions by the Security Council. This clearly proves that the council is biased.
“Such arrogance is happening because Israel feels it is being protected by the world’s major power. In this regard, Malaysia would like to urge the US to discharge its moral obligation to ensure the regime adheres to the responsible and civilised norms of a nation state.
“As long as US support for the Zionist regime is total and not in adherence to universal humanitarian values, there will be no end to the arrogance of this regime.”
Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin called forthe international community to push for a free and accountable investigation.
“We also urge the Zionist regime to quickly open all channels for humanitarian aid into Gaza and to move out from the Gaza strip.”
He expressed regret that the Security Council had failed to take stern action against Israel for the atrocities committed against the Palestinians over the years.
“It is clear that the Zionist regime is getting more arrogant with its repressive powers. The long arm of the law seems unable to stop the regime’s army from enforcing its law of the jungle.”
Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim ticked off the Security Council’s “mild” statement recently in condemning the attacks.
“Its statement was very weak because of America. Israel wouldn’t dare to attack the flotilla and set up blockades in Gaza without the support of America.”
Zulkifli Nordin (Independent-Kulim Bandar Baru) urged the Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC) to set up its own peacekeeping force to help members, including Palestinians.
Lim Guan Eng (DAP-Bagan) called on Najib to see US President Barack Obama and voice Malaysia’s displeasure with the way the US was seemingly protecting Israel.
Datuk Dr S. Subramaniam (BN-Segamat) said Israel should immediate rescind the blockade against humanitarian aid ships going to Gaza.
Liang Teck Meng (BN-Simpang Renggam) called for an open investigation into the attack on the flotilla to avoid a repeat of such incidents in the future while Datuk Ibrahim Ali (Independent-Pasir Mas) said Israel was a “mosquito country” that became arrogant due to support from the big powers, such as the US.
Read more: ‘Haul Israel to court for attack’
http://www.nst.com.my/nst/articles/2010060723592720100607235927/Article/#ixzz0qEPK2X4f