Aye! Put Israel on trial
Tuesday January 13, 2009
KUALA LUMPUR: Israel has to be brought before a United Nations-sanctioned international war crimes tribunal for its atrocities and violence on the Palestinian people, the special Parliament session decided yesterday.
It also expressed the country’s disappointment with the international community, especially the UN Security Council, for their lack of effort in trying to halt the attacks.
The demand was part of 10 resolutions proposed by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, who tabled the motion to discuss the Israeli invasion of Gaza in the Dewan Rakyat yesterday.
Abdullah said the resolutions would be presented to the relevant parliaments, the United States Congress and the European Parliament.
He said the latest military invasion of Gaza was the worst incident of attacks by the Zionist regime on Palestine since it was occupied in 1967, and that it had crippled a small territory which could not defend itself from successive and cruel attacks.
“Today, at least 800 people have been killed in Gaza, 3,000 are wounded and 15,000 more have become refugees after Israel launched the attack codenamed ‘Cast Lead’ on Dec 27, 2008,” he added.
Abdullah said all Malaysians should unite and make a strong stand to the world against the inhumane actions of the Zionist regime.
“The attacks by Israel have contravened international laws and such actions are deemed war crimes in the Fourth Schedule of the Geneva Convention on protection for civilians during wartime,” he added.
Abdullah said Malaysia’s call for a special UN session to condemn Israel over its military aggression received a boost when the UN General Assembly agreed to hold the session to urge the Security Council to take action by declaring a ceasefire and force Israel to withdraw from Gaza.
However, he said, the Council only acted after allowing the Israel military attacks to proceed for two weeks.
“We all know that the reason for the lack of action by the Security Council was that Israel didn’t want it. Israel has strong supporters within the Council.
“The United States has used its veto powers 28 times in 36 years since 1973 to prevent the Security Council from taking action on the Palestinian issue,” he added.
Abdullah said the United States had claimed to be a champion of democracy but rejected the legitimacy of the Hamas party which won the Palestinian elections in 2006.
“If the United States admits that it defends human rights, why did it allow Israel to kill children, the elderly, women and other innocent ordinary people?” he asked.
He also said Malaysians should urge incoming US President Barack Obama to change to the situation.
Abdullah said it was true that the UN Security Council had passed Resolution 1860 that a ceasefire be declared in Gaza and the Israeli military should withdraw from the area. However, he said, the resolution was silent on the Israeli blockade mposed on Palestinian territory.
It also did not have a provision that a peacekeeping force be formed to ensure that the Israeli military withdrew from Gaza, he added.
“This is the stumbling block of Resolution 1860. No one can ensure that the ceasefire is complied with.”
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp...049&sec=nation