SEPANG, May 25 — Malaysia will not remain silent over alleged atrocities committed by the Israeli regime against Malaysian humanitarian activists involved in the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) mission, including claims of abduction, physical assault and violations of international law.
Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari said efforts to bring the matter before the International Criminal Court (ICC) were actively underway, alongside continued diplomatic pressure to defend the rights and safety of Malaysians involved in humanitarian missions to Gaza.
Amirudin, who also headed the GSF 2.0 delegation, said a legal team was currently gathering information and documents related to alleged breaches of international law against the Malaysian delegation throughout the mission.
“We should be proud as Malaysians because dozens of citizens from various races and backgrounds were willing to sacrifice their time, energy and lives for this humanitarian mission. The pressure they faced this time was not something easy. They were abducted not once, but twice. They were also tortured.
“They not only faced psychological pressure and intimidation from the Zionist regime, but were also subjected to physical attacks. God willing, Malaysia will not remain silent, Parliament will not remain silent. Malaysians must rise because these actions not only affected our citizens, but also violated the nation’s sovereignty.
“We will bring this motion to Parliament. I am confident we will receive full support from all Members of Parliament. Malaysia is among the countries showing the strongest support regardless of political background for the people of Gaza and Palestine,” he said.
Amirudin said this during his speech at the Solidarity Gathering for the Return of Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) 2.0 Humanitarian Activists at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) last night.
Earlier, he welcomed home 28 Malaysian activists detained by Israel in international waters while participating in the humanitarian mission.
He said that although the GSF 2.0 mission had concluded, efforts to support Gaza would continue through international conferences, advocacy tours and solidarity movements nationwide.
Amirudin also stressed that Malaysia would continue playing an active role in breaking the “silence of the world” over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, while maintaining unwavering solidarity with Palestine regardless of race or political ideology.
“I believe with our strength and determination today, Malaysia is not only proud to gather and chant ‘Free Palestine’, but also proves that its people are willing to risk everything for humanity.
“The greatest humanitarian issue of this century is liberating Gaza and ending Zionist atrocities that have persisted for decades,” he said.
Raising awareness worldwide
Meanwhile, Sumud Nusantara Command Center (SNCC) director-general Datuk Sani Araby Abdul Alim Araby said the GSF 2.0 mission had sparked a wave of international solidarity by uniting lawmakers, media practitioners, doctors, lawyers and 422 activists from more than 40 countries in support of Palestinians and in protest against the blockade on Gaza.
He said 22 of the countries involved were members of the European Union (EU), while 19 were members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).
“This mission succeeded. This mission won. We pray that we will always stand on the right side of history in defending Gaza.
“This humanitarian mission not only amplified the voices of the global community for Gaza, but also exposed crimes and violations of international law committed by the Israeli regime,” he said during a press conference held in conjunction with the solidarity gathering.
According to Sani Araby, live broadcasts and visual documentation throughout the mission had also opened the eyes of the international community to alleged attacks, abductions and the seizure of humanitarian aid in international waters.
He said the interception of the flotilla triggered geopolitical pressure as several countries, including Italy, Turkiye, Spain, France, Belgium, Ireland, Canada, the Netherlands, Germany, South Korea, Australia, Portugal and Malaysia condemned Israel’s actions.
International organisations such as the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), the United Nations (UN) and the EU also issued official statements regarding Israel’s detention and alleged attacks on humanitarian activists.
Sani Araby said SNCC was now mobilising the first phase of the Sumud Protocol as a follow-up action after GSF 2.0 to strengthen international pressure on Israel and expand global solidarity for Palestine.
Meanwhile, Sumud Nusantara Chef de Mission Muhammad Nadir Al-Nuri Kamaruzaman said GSF 2.0 had never failed, but instead succeeded in dismantling what he described as Zionist propaganda.
He said developments following the mission showed that international solidarity towards Palestine was growing and placing increasing pressure on Israel.
“Following the interception incident on April 29, content related to GSF recorded more than 1.5 billion reach and interactions on social media, excluding Sumud Nusantara’s own reach.
“Within 10 days after the incident, more than 20,000 articles related to Gaza and GSF were published worldwide,” he said.
He added that discussions on Palestine across digital platforms had increased by 537 per cent, involving conversations in 60 countries, while 94 per cent of media coverage was viewed positively.
He said 81 EU lawmakers had signed statements supporting GSF and demanding the release of detained activists, while the Brussels Declaration received more than 1,000 signatures from parliamentarians worldwide in solidarity with Palestine.
“At present, about 200 participants are still involved in the Sumud Land Convoy in eastern Libya and are facing restrictions from local authorities, while the ‘We Rise Asia Convoy’ will continue after this. GSF 3.0 is expected to be announced soon,” he added.
