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Malaysia has called on the global community to stay focused on ensuring the freedom of Palestine amid escalating tensions in the Middle East.
Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan recently stated the importance of working towards Palestinian freedom and their right to land ownership while accusing Israel of diverting the globe’s attention from Paletinians’ plight.
He stated, “Any diversion from this goal is what Israel desires, aiming to divert global attention from their harmful and unacceptable actions in Palestine.”
Malaysia echoed the United Nations Secretary-General’s plea for an immediate cessation of hostilities, highlighting the potential consequences of further violence.
The Malaysian government urged all parties involved to de-escalate the situation and work towards a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
In response to Iran’s attack on Israel, several countries in the region closed their airspace, prompting temporary flight diversions by carriers including Malaysia Airlines, Singapore Airlines, and others.
The Foreign Minister highlighted Iran’s assertion that its actions against Israel were justifiable, but warned against further provocation, which could lead to a wider regional conflict.
“However, Iran asserts that should the Israeli regime or its allies were to ‘make another mistake, Iran’s response will be considerably more severe’, thus creating a never-ending cycle of violence,” he said.
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More Shorts“Any further form of provocation or retaliation could ignite a devastating region-wide conflict that will not serve the region or the Palestinian cause.”
A travel advisory was issued for Malaysians in Iran, Jordan, Lebanon, and Iraq, advising them to prepare for potential disruptions and to contact the nearest Malaysian embassy or consulate in case of emergency.
Deputy Prime Minister Fadillah Yusof advised against travel to high-risk regions and stated the need for the Foreign Ministry to monitor the safety of Malaysians abroad.
Despite the tensions, business between Malaysian and Iranian counterparts continues, with businessmen highlighting the resilience of trade relations between the two countries.