MALAYSIA BANS ISRAELI-FLAGGED SHIPS OVER GAZA ONSLAUGHT

Wed 20 December 2023:

Malaysia barred Israeli-flagged cargo ships from docking at its ports on Wednesday in protest to Israel’s operations in Gaza, which it said violated “basic humanitarian principles.”

Ships bound for Israel will also be prevented from loading cargo at any port in the predominantly Muslim Southeast Asian nation, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said in a statement.

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, in an official statement, said that the government will impose an immediate ban on Israeli shipping vessels.

He stated on Wednesday that the decision is in response to Israel’s brutal war against Palestinians in Gaza.

The ban will primarily affect ZIM Integrated Shipping Services, an Israeli international cargo shipping company with a strong hold across the globe.

A cargo vessel owned by Israeli shipping firm Zim docked at the port of Hamburg, Germany. File photo: AP

The statement further said that Israel is committing “massacre and brutality” against Palestinian civilians.

In addition, it has been decided to revoke the permit for Israel-flagged ships to dock in Malaysian ports.

Malaysia will also impose “a ban on any ship en route to Israel from loading cargo at Malaysian ports.”

The Office of the Prime Minister has informed that all the restrictions will be effective immediately.

Malaysia is a strong supporter of the Palestinian cause and does not have diplomatic ties with Israel. Anwar has refused to bow to Western pressure for him to cut ties with Hamas.

In October, more than 16,000 people, including Anwar, turned up at a rally as Malaysia staged a show of support for the Palestinians amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

All educational institutions under Malaysia’s Ministry of Education also held a Palestine Solidarity Week from Oct 29 to Nov 3 “to educate students about humane values that also include human rights and compassion”, said the ministry in October.

At least 19,667 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli attacks since October 7.

SOURCE: INDEPENDENT PRESS AND NEWS AGENCIES

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