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Malaysian embassy plan in Palestine depends on Jerusalem final status
Malaysia's plan to set up an embassy in Palestine depends on the final status of Jerusalem.
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A picture taken on December 19, 2017 shows a partial view of the Jerusalem's Old City with the Dome of the Rock on the right. (AFP/File photo)
Any decision to set up a Malaysian embassy in Palestine can only be determined once the final status of Jerusalem is determined under the two-state solution plan, says Reezal Merican Naina Merican.
The Deputy Foreign Minister said if Malaysia decides to take similar action like the United States and set up its embassy in Jerusalem, it would be akin to giving a signal to legitimise the action made by the United States, which had received international backlash.
“As a country that holds firmly to international principles and the United Nations’ Charter, we must continue to respect the UN resolution on the status of Jerusalem,” he told Datuk Kamaruddin Jaffar (PKR-Tumpat) during Question Time.
Kamaruddin had asked Wisma Putra whether the Government has any intention to set up its embassy in Jerusalem to prove its commitment towards the Palestinian struggle.
In December last year, the UN General Assembly decisively backed a resolution calling the United States to withdraw its recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.
The non-binding resolution was approved by 128 states with 35 abstaining and nine others voting against.
Reezal said Malaysia was among the countries to vote for the resolution, in line with its strong commitment to see the establishment of an independent Palestinian state.
“The resolution, among others, insisted that any decisions regarding the status of Jerusalem are null and void, and must be rescinded.
“All parties must respect the UN resolution, including not to set up their embassies in Jerusalem.
“But it is the hope of all Malaysians to see the establishment of our embassy in Jerusalem and that has been one of our final aims,” said Reezal.
This article appeared on The Star newspaper website, which is a member of Asia News Network and a media partner of The Jakarta Post
