Malaysia affirms support for Gaza, withdraws from Frankfurt book fair

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Al Mayadeen
17 Oct 2023 11:51
1 Shares

After the organizers' pro-Israeli statements and decision to postpone the award ceremony of a Palestinian author, the Malaysian Ministry of Education withdrew from the Frankfurt book fair.

A Muslim walks to Friday prayer as Malaysia and Palestine flags are on display in Putrajaya, Malaysia, Friday, Dec. 22, 2017 (AP)

The Malaysian Ministry of Education withdrew from participation in this year's Frankfurt Book Fair, accusing the organizers of taking a pro-Israeli occupation stance: affirming the Palestinian people's right to their land and life amid the ongoing Israeli aggression against Gaza.

Malaysia's decision to withdraw from the world's largest book fair came after the literary association Litprom announced it would postpone an award ceremony for a Palestinian author at the fair under the pretext of the ongoing war in Palestine.

The fair's organizers also announced on Facebook that they "wish to make Jewish and Israeli voices particularly visible in this year's book fair."

The Malaysian Ministry of Education announced yesterday that they "will not turn a blind eye to the violence committed by Israel in Palestine, which is a clear violation of international laws and human rights." They added that the decision to withdraw aligns with the government's position of solidarity and full support for Palestine.

Malaysia, a Muslim-majority Asian country with a sizeable economy, has long been a staunch supporter of the Palestinian cause.

I had a phone conversation with Hamas Head of Political Bureau, Ismail Haniyeh yesterday to express Malaysia's unwavering support for the Palestinian people.

Given the dire situation in Gaza, I strongly advocate for the immediate cessation of bombardment and the establishment of… pic.twitter.com/9Ozro8xtC3
— Anwar Ibrahim (@anwaribrahim) October 17, 2023

On Tuesday, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim called for an "immediate cessation of the bombing in Gaza and the opening of a humanitarian corridor" following a phone call with the head of Hamas' political office, Ismail Haniyeh. Ibrahim assured Haniyeh that Malaysians stand in solidarity with the Palestinian people and with Gaza in the Al-Aqsa Flood operation.

Earlier this week, Anwar Ibrahim had stated that he "does not agree with Western pressure to condemn Hamas."

Yesterday, the UN Security Council voted to reject a Russia-proposed draft resolution to resolve the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip. The resolution received four votes in favor, five against, and six abstentions.

"We regret that the council once again has found itself a hostage to the ego, to the selfish intentions of the Western bloc of countries," Russian Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia said after the vote.

Following other states' draft resolution proposals, the Russian mission to the United Nations included amendments to its resolution to condemn the indiscriminate Israeli strikes against the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip and call for a humanitarian ceasefire amid the dire situation for the civilians there.

Palestinian ambassador Riyad Mansour said the council had a moral duty to act in a bid to end the Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip that he said was claiming 12 lives every hour.