PETALING JAYA: Condemning the Israeli interception of Global Sumud Flotilla vessels, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim says Malaysia will ensure Israel is held accountable, especially in matters concerning Malaysian citizens.
Israeli forces hold eight Malaysians in the humanitarian mission to Gaza.
“I condemn in the strongest terms Israel’s interception of the Global Sumud Flotilla,” Anwar said on Thursday (Oct 2).
“These vessels carried unarmed civilians and life-saving humanitarian supplies for Gaza, yet they were met with intimidation and coercion,” he added.
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,” he added.
By blocking a humanitarian mission, Anwar said Israel has shown 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. As long as the Palestinian people are denied their fundamental rights and aspirations, Malaysia will stand unflinchingly with them,” he added.
Anwar said that Malaysia will not relent in demanding an end to the injustice and dispossession that have plagued Palestine for generations.
Eight Malaysian volunteers, including singer Zizi Kirana, who joined the Global Sumud Flotilla mission, released SOS videos indicating they are held by Israeli forces.
“My name is Zizi Kirana. I am a citizen of Malaysia. If you are watching this video it means I have been abducted and taken against my will by Israeli forces.
“Our humanitarian mission was peaceful, non-violent and fully in compliance with international law. I urgently appeal to the Malaysian government, especially the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, to demand my immediate and unconditional release. Thank you,” she said.
At press time, SOS alert videos of seven other Malaysian volunteers were released on the Sumud Nusantara Official Facebook page.
Others include Iylia Baliqis Suhaimi, Sul Aidil and Ahmad Musa Alnuwayri Kamaruzaman, who were aboard the Alma vessel intercepted at 9.44pm Gaza time.
They also include Rusydi Ramli, Zulfadhli Khairudin, Haikal Abdullah and Muaz Zainal, who were sailing via the vessel “Sirius”.
Zizi was travelling via the vessel “Huga”.
Earlier, Israeli naval forces intercepted several GSF vessels, namely Aurora, Adara, Alma, Dir Yassine (Mali), Grande Blue, Huga, Spectre, Sirius and Yulara, en route to Gaza.
