![[UPDATED] Malaysia to continue diplomatic efforts for Palestinian cause](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.nst.com.my%2Fimages%2Farticles%2Fwtanwar76_NSTfield_image_socialmedia.var_1749270124.jpg&w=3840&q=100)
[UPDATED] Malaysia to continue diplomatic efforts for Palestinian cause
PUTRAJAYA: Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said regional leaders have agreed to continue consultations and explore urgent solutions to the Gaza crisis, reaffirming a united front against Israeli aggression.
Speaking after attending Aidiladha prayers at Masjid Putra, Anwar said his recent conversations with foreign counterparts — including Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Iranian President Dr Masoud Pezeshkian, and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif — had focused on the worsening situation in Gaza.
"In all these discussions, we expressed a clear and united stance on Gaza — to stop the violence, reject all efforts to obstruct humanitarian aid, and to strongly condemn Israel's brutal and aggressive actions," he said.
Anwar said the leaders had agreed to continue consultations and find alternative ways to resolve the crisis as soon as possible.
Malaysia does not have diplomatic relations with Israel and has consistently voiced strong support for the Palestinian cause. The country has long advocated for Palestinian statehood and regularly condemns Israeli actions in the occupied territories.
The United States recently vetoed a resolution calling for a ceasefire and unrestricted humanitarian access in Gaza, arguing that it would undermine ongoing diplomatic efforts.
The move was heavily criticised by other members of the United Nations Security Council.
It marked the 15-member body's first vote on the situation since November, when the United States — a key Israeli ally — also blocked a resolution calling for an end to the fighting.
Asked whether Malaysia would raise the matter directly with the United States following its latest veto, Anwar said the government had already conveyed its position.
"We have expressed our views, and they are already known to the international community. But this is not something one country can resolve on its own.
"As we did with the Gulf states recently through Asean-GCC cooperation, we are rallying other nations to issue firm statements and pressure the world to stop the violence," he said.
Anwar also criticised countries that publicly condemned Israel while continuing to supply it with weapons.
"To condemn while selling arms to Israel is an act that clearly violates international and humanitarian law," he said.
The conflict began after Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel on October 7, prompting a large-scale Israeli military offensive in Gaza.
The war has left Gaza's population facing severe shortages of food, water and medicine, as humanitarian conditions continue to deteriorate.
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'I started to cry with him.' – 2025 The New York Times Company This article was first published on The New York Times.
