Page 6 - Diplomatic Voice Vol 4

FORUM Keynote Address by Dato’ Hamzah Zainudin, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Malaysia on the occasion of the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People Your Excellencies, rights of the Palestinian people. Ladies and gentlemen, Distinguished guests, Malaysia is heartened and pleased to Ladies and gentlemen, note that recently, a number of Euro- Today, three months had passed since pean countries have begun to re- Israel’s military attack on Gaza, but let Assalamualaikum warahmatullahi wa- cognise Palestine as a state. The us never forget that those precious barakatuh and a very good morning to world has finally come to its senses. lives lost during the hostilities were not all of you. We hope the international community terrorists, nor were they mere statis- will continue to support Palestine’s tics for the international community to First and foremost, allow me to noble quest for freedom and self- record and debate. These fallen welcome all of you to today’s event to determination in the name of justice angels were loved ones, family mem- mark the important occasion of the and equality. We strongly believe that bers and friends whose unfortunate th 38th international day of solidarity with recognition of Palestine as a state by fate was partly a result of the world’s the Palestinian people. Indeed, I feel the international community will even- inaction and inability to intervene honoured to be here as our assembly tually provide an equal playing field for constructively to end Israel’s crime today is truly an expression of our Palestine in its peace negotiations against humanity. compassion, unequivocal support and with the Zionist regime. solidarity with the courageous people For decades, Israel’s brutality, dis- of Palestine. Ladies and gentlemen, respect and crime against humanity including violation of various interna- By way of this gathering, we convey Hardly two years since the last brutal tional laws have been left unpunished, our solidarity with the people of Pales- military aggression by the Zionist especially by the United Nations and tine in their noble and just struggle for regime on the people of Palestine in the international community. In reality, their legitimate rights. By the same Gaza, the world was once again the United Nations and the internati- token, our presence here today also shocked and horrified by Israel’s onal community have all the mecha- sends a strong message that it is in the barbaric and merciless attack on Gaza nisms and instruments needed to end interest of the entire international in early July this year. The heartless the Israel Zionist regime’s occupation community that a lasting and peaceful assault under operation protective and oppression against the people of solution is found to the Palestine- edge, lasted more than 51 days and Palestine. In fact, this has been well Israel conflict, resulting in a sovereign, claimed the innocent lives of at least documented when the world over- independent and united state of 1,523 Palestinian civilians including come colonialism six decades ago Palestine living within secure and 519 children and displaced more than and apartheid regime in South Africa. recognised borders with east Jerusa- 100,000 Palestinians in Gaza. The Am I wrong to assume that Israel’s lem as its capital. senseless and unlawful attacks also continued occupation and ignorance caused immeasurable damage to to human rights and international laws Ladies and gentlemen, public infrastructure, including those is an insult to the United Nations’ that belong to the United Nations existence and purpose? Malaysia welcomes the designation of which are essential for the Palestinians the year 2014 as the international year living in Gaza. Ladies and gentlemen, of solidarity with the Palestinian people by the United Nations General The world knows that the latest Israeli Malaysia calls on the international Assembly in 2012. Malaysia’s engage- assault was also the worst since ope- community to not only condemn ment with Palestine officially started ration pillar of defence in 2008 and Israel’s illegal occupation of Palestine when the Palestine Liberation Organi- operation cast lead in 2012. Sadly, the but to exert pressure on the Zionist sation (PLO) established its office in spirit of humanity was once again regime to end its ruthless colonializa- Kuala Lumpur in 1969. Upon the shattered and bruised as the Zionist tion and segregation of Palestine declaration of Palestine as a state on regime massacred the people of Pa- within a well-defined timeline. I be- 15 November 1988, Malaysia was lestine in Gaza for the third time in a lieve, being silent about this issue of amongst the first few countries to give period of less than seven years. Ma- humanity is akin to us compliciting a full democratic recognition of Pales- laysia expresses our deepest condo- with the terrorist Zionist regime in the tine as a state on the same date. lences and sympathy to the families systemic genocide of the people of and victims of Israel’s hostilities. The Palestine from their rightful land. Hence, we view the United Nations’ government and people of Malaysia proclamation as recognition of the also condemn the inhumane attacks in At the same time, the international Palestinian cause and the inalienable the strongest possible terms. community and in particular, the 6 bulletin@idfr.gov.my