“Malaysia will hold Israel accountable” - Anwar condemns flotilla interception
"These vessels carried unarmed civilians and life-saving humanitarian supplies for Gaza, yet they were met with intimidation and coercion."
SHAH ALAM - Malaysia will use all legitimate and lawful means to ensure that Israel is held to account especially in matters concerning Malaysian citizens, says Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
Anwar condemned “in the strongest terms” Israel’s interception of the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) that had been carrying unarmed civilians and humanitarian aid bound for Gaza.
“I condemn in the strongest terms Israel’s interception of the Global Sumud Flotilla. These vessels carried unarmed civilians and life-saving humanitarian supplies for Gaza, yet they were met with intimidation and coercion,” he said in a statement this morning.
He added that by blocking the humanitarian mission, Israel had shown “utter contempt not only for the rights of the Palestinian people but also for the conscience of the world.”
“The flotilla embodied solidarity, compassion and the hope of relief for those under blockade,” he said.
Reaffirming Malaysia’s position, Anwar said Malaysia will use all legitimate and lawful means at our disposal to ensure that Israel is held to account, especially in matters concerning Malaysian citizens.
"The safety and dignity of our people are paramount and we will not allow them to be compromised with impunity.
“As long as the Palestinian people are denied their fundamental rights and aspirations, Malaysia will stand unflinchingly with them. We will not relent in demanding an end to the injustice and dispossession that have plagued Palestine for generations," he added.
The GSF vessels were intercepted by the Israeli naval forces around 8.30pm, Gaza time.
According to the GSF Tracker, several vessels namely Adara, Aurora, Alma, Dir Yassine(Mali), Grande Blu, Huga, Spectre, Sirius and Yulara had been intercepted.
Singer Zizi Kirana was aboard the Huga vessel.
Iylia Baliqis Suhaimi, Sul Aidil Sudi and Ahmad Musa Alnuwayri Kamaruzaman were the three Malaysians aboard Alma.
Mohd Rusydi Ramli, Mohammad Zulfadhli Khiruddin, Muhammad Haikal Abdullah and Muhammad Muaz Zain Al Abiddin are the four Malaysians sailing on Sirius.
Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg was also sailing on the Alma vessel.
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