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Malaysia–Palestine relations

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Malaysia–Palestine relations
Map indicating locations of Malaysia and Palestine

Malaysia
Palestine
Diplomatic mission
Embassy of Malaysia, CairoPalestinian Embassy, Kuala Lumpur
Envoy
Ambassador Zamani IsmailAmbassador Walid Abu Ali

Malaysia–Palestine relations (Malay: Hubungan Malaysia–Palestin; Jawi: هوبوڠن مليسيا–ڤلسطين; Arabic: العلاقات الماليزية الفلسطينية alealaqat almaliziat alfilastinia) refers to bilateral foreign relations between the two countries, Malaysia and Palestine.

Diplomatic relations

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Embassy of Palestine in Kuala Lumpur

With no recognition to the Israeli occupation in Palestinian territories, Malaysia has strongly stood up for the rights and freedoms of the Palestinians and has supported the struggles of the Palestinians.[1] Malaysia also currently refuses to recognise the State of Israel until a peace agreement is reached to realise the two-state solution.[2][3]

Palestine is represented in Malaysia by an embassy in the capital Kuala Lumpur.[4][5] The Palestinian Cultural Organisation Malaysia is thought to act as an unofficial embassy of Hamas, and Hamas leaders have visited Malaysia.[6]

Palestinians in Malaysia

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In 1993, there were approximately 3,000–5,000 Palestinian students in Malaysia,[1] with many Palestinians also choosing Malaysia as a country for temporary refuge.[7][8]

On 21 April 2018, the Palestinian engineer, lecturer, and Hamas member Fadi Mohammad al-Batsh was gunned down by two men on a motorbike while heading to a mosque for dawn prayers. According to Israeli media, al-Batsch was an expert on rocket and drone accuracy, who had recently published material on drone development and transmitters for controlling drones. In response, Hamas issued a statement identifying al-Batsh as one of their own and blamed his death on the "hand of treachery." His relatives have blamed Israel for assassinating al-Batsch. Malaysia's Deputy Prime Minister Dato' Seri Dr. Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has announced that the Malaysian Government would investigate the possibility that foreign agents were involved in his killing. Zahid described the assailants as two European or Middle Eastern men who were riding a powerful BMW 1100cc motorbike.[9][10][11] Israel has so far denied involvement in al-Batsh's assassination.[12]

In late September 2022, the Royal Malaysian Police foiled an alleged Mossad plot to kidnap two Palestinian computer experts in Kuala Lumpur using an undercover cell consisting of Malaysian nationals who had allegedly been recruited and trained in Europe. According to Malaysian authorities, this cell was also allegedly involved in spying on important sites including airports, government electronic companies, and tracking down Palestinian activists. Though these operatives kidnapped one of the men, the second escaped and alerted Malaysian police. The operatives allegedly assisted Mossad officials via video call in interrogating their captive, who was questioned about the computer programming and software capabilities of Hamas and its Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades. With the aid of the second Palestinian man, Malaysian police were able to track down the car registration plates to a house where the alleged kidnappers were arrested and the man was freed.[13][14][15]

Informal relations

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In 1930s, Burhanuddin al-Helmy from the Malay Peninsula was amongst the first activist to pay a visit to Palestine and joined a demonstration against the 1917 Balfour Declaration on establishment of "national home for the Jewish people" in Palestine. Upon returning to the Malay Peninsula in 1936, he was arrested by the British colonial masters. However, Burhanuddin was steadfast in publishing a magazine named "Taman Bahagia" (Happy Garden), featured himself as a fighter of the Palestinian people. The British later banned the magazine for fear of inciting the anger of the Malays against British colonialism.[16]

In 2020, "Jalan Raja Laut 1", a road in Malaysia’s national capital Kuala Lumpur, has been renamed as "Jalan Palestin" (Palestine Street) as a symbolic of opposition and fighting for the freedom of Palestine from Israel.[17] On 31 August 2021, a western district in Gaza named one of its streets "Malaysia Street" in honour of Malaysia's support for Palestine. Furthermore, locals in Gaza also raised Malaysian flags to celebrate Merdeka Day.[18]

Civil society groups

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Several Palestinian-oriented non-governmental organisations (NGOs) operate in Malaysia. Notable advocacy groups include the Palestinian Cultural Organization Malaysia (PCOM), Quds Foundation Malaysia (QFM), and the Malaysian chapter of the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement. Notable humanitarian relief NGOs include Aman Palestin, Aqsa Syarif (MyCare), Viva Palestina Malaysia (VPM), Cakna Palestine, Cinta Gaza Malaysia (CGM), and My Aqsa. Notable advocacy networks include MgGMJ, the Save Al-Quds Campaign, and MyAqsa Defenders.[19]

One notable group is Aman Palestin Berhad which was established by several Islamist activists including Malaysian Muslim Solidarity (ISMA) head Abdullah Zaik. The organisation has sought to help the Palestinian people by promoting awareness of the Palestinian issue, providing aid and supporting Palestinian building projects, and advocating for Palestinian rights at various levels. Aman Palestin has funded the construction and maintenance of orphanages, provided education assistance to Palestinian students, supported poverty alleviation, charitable agricultural and social projects, and medical aid in the Palestinian Territories, and financially supported Palestinian students at Malaysian universities. Aman Palestin has also organised fundraising campaigns during the 2008-09 Gaza War.[20] In November 2023, the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission raided on Aman Palestin's offices to investigate the embezzlement of funds. They seized assets totalling RM15,868,762.00 in 41 direct and indirect bank accounts and including four 1-kilogramme Grade 999.9 gold bars.[21][22][23] On 15 February 2024, the Kuala Lumpur High Court charged Aman Palestin's executive chairman, CEO, and director with 164 charges of embezzlement over the alleged misappropriation of donations worth RM85 million (US$17 million).[24]

References

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  1. ^ a b Joseph Kaos Jr (7 August 2012). "Palestinian group seeks more aid from Malaysia". AsiaOne. Archived from the original on 12 December 2017. Retrieved 20 November 2012.
  2. ^ "Malaysia Furthers Efforts to Support Palestine". theCHOICE.my. 19 June 2012. Archived from the original on 29 October 2013. Retrieved 20 November 2012.
  3. ^ "Implement two-state solution, says Anifah". New Straits Times. 3 August 2017. Retrieved 12 December 2017 – via PressReader.
  4. ^ "Embassy of the State of Palestine in Malaysia". Ministry of foreign affairs of State of Palestine. Archived from the original on 22 June 2018. Retrieved 4 January 2017.
  5. ^ Nizam, Fuad (29 November 2023). "Palestinian Embassy in Malaysia denies requesting NGO contributions". New Straits Times. Retrieved 30 January 2024.
  6. ^ Hadi Azmi (31 October 2023). "Israel-Gaza war: Malaysia will defy US pressure to label Hamas terrorists, PM Anwar says". Retrieved 14 May 2024.
  7. ^ "Palestinians pick Malaysia to look for refuge". New Straits Times. 28 July 2012. Archived from the original on 28 July 2012. Retrieved 20 November 2012.
  8. ^ "Palestinian Student Feels At Home Celebrating Ramadan In Malaysia". Astro Awani. Malaysian Digest. 14 June 2016. Archived from the original on 15 June 2016. Retrieved 12 December 2017.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  9. ^ "Murdered Palestinian engineer was 'senior member' of Hamas". The Guardian. Associated Press. 21 April 2018. Retrieved 24 April 2018.
  10. ^ "Hamas rocket engineer killed in Malaysia; family blames Israel". The Times of Israel. 21 April 2018. Retrieved 24 April 2018.
  11. ^ "Malaysia releases sketches of suspects in Fadi al-Batsh killing". Al Jazeera English. 24 April 2018. Retrieved 24 April 2018.
  12. ^ "Fadi al-Batsh killing: Israel dismisses involvement". BBC News. 22 April 2018. Retrieved 24 April 2018.
  13. ^ "Mossad used locals to kidnap Palestinian". New Straits Times. 18 October 2022. Archived from the original on 20 October 2022. Retrieved 20 October 2022.
  14. ^ "Malaysian media says Israel's Mossad behind kidnapped Palestinian". Al Jazeera. 18 October 2022. Archived from the original on 19 October 2022. Retrieved 20 October 2022.
  15. ^ "Malaysian forces free Gazan after alleged Mossad abduction in Kuala Lumpur – report". The Times of Israel. 18 October 2022. Archived from the original on 19 October 2022. Retrieved 20 October 2022.
  16. ^ Abu Hanafiah, Haris (23 October 2023). "Melayu bela rakyat Palestin sejak 1930, sumbang S$14,000 pada 1949 (The Malays defended the Palestinian people since 1930, and contributed S$14,000 in 1949)". Berita Harian. Archived from the original on 24 October 2023. Retrieved 29 October 2023.
  17. ^ "KL's Jalan Raja Laut 1 renamed Jalan Palestin". The Malay Mail. 27 September 2020. Retrieved 13 October 2023.
  18. ^ "Gaza municipality names road in western district 'Malaysia Street' in appreciation of Malaysian solidarity". The Malay Mail. 31 August 2021. Retrieved 31 August 2021.
  19. ^ Imran, Seyam & Alzaanin 2023, p. 235.
  20. ^ Imran et al.
  21. ^ Mazwin Nik Anis (26 November 2023). "MACC seize four gold bars in Aman Palestin raid, says sources". The Star.
  22. ^ Camoens, Austin (23 November 2023). "Aman Palestin graft probe: MACC freezes RM15.86mil in 41 bank accounts". The Star.
  23. ^ Kasinathan, Shathana (23 November 2023). "MACC freezes Aman Palestin's accounts, raids premises amid RM70m misappropriation probe". Malay Mail. Retrieved 27 November 2023.
  24. ^ Azmi, Hadi (15 February 2024). "Malaysia court slaps 164 charges on heads of pro-Palestinian NGO over US$17 million in misused funds". South China Morning Post. Retrieved 2 March 2024.
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Further reading

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  • Imran, Muslim; Seyam, Muath; Alzaanin, Mohammed (2023). "Chapter 15: An Introduction to Malaysian NGOs and Palestine-Oriented NGOS (PONGOS) Advocating the Palestinian Issue". In Alama, Abdolrez; Bilgrami, Muna (eds.). The Middle East and the Malay World: Contemporary Issues and Future Challenges. Gerakbudaya Enterprise. pp. 233–253. ISBN 9789670076263.
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