Gaza not a prize to be seized, owned by foreign power - Mapim

KUALA LUMPUR - The Malaysian Consultative Council of Islamic Organisations (Mapim), along with all Islamic organisations in the country, strongly condemns the statement by United States (US) president Donald Trump, who claimed that the US would take over and own Gaza through a reconstruction plan.

Describing Trump's statement as rude, Mapim President Mohd Azmi Abdul Hamid said it was a direct attack on Palestinian sovereignty, international law, and human rights.

"The world cannot remain silent in the face of such blatant colonial ambitions, which resemble the oppression and colonisation that weaker nations have suffered at the hands of great powers.

"Trump's irresponsible and arrogant statement exposes a dangerous neo-colonial agenda aimed at seizing the rights of the Palestinian people over their homeland.

"The attempt to 'own' Gaza is not reconstruction but rather a form of modern colonisation disguised as humanitarian aid," he said in a statement issued on Wednesday.

Early Wednesday, Trump pledged that the US would take over the Gaza Strip after the Palestinian people were relocated to other countries.

Trump revealed the shocking plan without providing detailed information during a press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House in Washington.

The announcement followed another 'shocking' proposal from Trump earlier, which suggested permanently relocating Palestinians from Gaza to neighbouring countries while referring to Gaza as a 'demolition site.'

Commenting further, Azmi stated that Mapim and other Islamic organisations strongly reject this illegal, immoral and imperialistic plan and demand that the international community take action.

Accordingly, Mapim demands that the international community reject any attempt by the US or any foreign entity to take control of Gaza.

At the same time, he emphasised that only the Palestinian people have the right to determine their own future.

"The United Nations (UN) and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) must act immediately to prevent any foreign power from taking over Palestinian land.

"The Malaysian government must also take a firm stance by leading diplomatic efforts to condemn and thwart any foreign plan that violates Palestinian sovereignty.

"The demand for justice for Israel’s war crimes, the international community’s focus on ending Israel’s occupation and the lifting of illegal blockades must remain priorities to ensure justice for Palestinian victims," he stressed.

Azmi said that Trump's remarks were not just words but a dangerous indicator of imperialistic ambitions that must be stopped before they become a reality.

He stressed that the world must send a clear message that Gaza was not a prize to be seized or a colony to be ruled by foreign powers.

"Gaza belongs to Palestine, and Palestine is the right of its people," he said.

Meanwhile, International Movement for a Just World (JUST) president Dr Chandra Muzaffar said that no law permits Trump or any individual to take control of Gaza, whether through invasion or the use of military force.

"Every country has laws to control its borders, territory and sovereignty. No one, including Trump, has the right to take over Gaza.

"If he invades or uses military force, it would be a violation of international law.

"Such an action clearly demonstrates coercion to seize a territory that does not belong to him. Therefore, it is impossible for Trump to take control of Gaza peacefully unless he launches a war," he told Sinar.

Chandra added that even if Israel were to allow Gaza to be handed over to another party, such an action would still be illegal.

"According to international law, Gaza is considered an occupied territory, meaning it is controlled by an unauthorised party as a result of the 1967 war.

"However, that war did not grant Israel the right to hand over Gaza to another party. Israel merely acts as an occupying power in Gaza due to that war," he said.

Chandra believed that the narrative was merely propaganda created by the US to divert attention from the ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict.

"Even if it is just US propaganda, we cannot remain silent and allow them to act with impunity," he added.