Malaysia to Continue Exerting International Pressure On Israel, Senate Told

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 11 (Bernama) -- Malaysia will continue to apply pressure to ensure the Israeli regime is held accountable for its violation of international law against Palestinians, including through the implementation of the decisions of the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

Deputy Foreign Minister Datuk Mohamad Alamin said this was reflected in Malaysia's strong support and active participation over the years in the ICJ advisory opinion proceedings on Palestine, in 2004, 2024 and 2025.

He said Malaysia’s participation in the latest advisory opinion proceedings on Israel’s obligations regarding the presence and activities of the United Nations (UN), other international organisations and third countries in the occupied Palestinian territory this year clearly reflected the country’s firm stance.

"On Oct 22, 2025, the ICJ issued its advisory opinion in favour of Palestine. The decision also affirmed Malaysia’s legal arguments, which were submitted through a written statement on Feb 28, 2025, and an oral statement on April 28, 2025, at the ICJ in support of the proceedings,” he said during the oral question-and-answer session in the Dewan Negara today.

He was replying to a question from Senator Hussin Ismail, who wanted to know the concrete measures and efforts taken by the government at the international level to ensure appropriate action is taken against Israel under international law for the continuous violation of the ceasefire agreement and crime against the people of Palestine.

Mohamad said the ICJ advisory opinion proceedings in 2004, 2024 and 2025 were important, as they confirmed Israel's occupation as being illegal, as well as proving that the regime's actions challenged humanitarian law and human rights, including the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination.

He said Malaysia, through the Hague Group, continues to lead the implementation of the ICJ decisions, including through trade sanctions against Israel and a ban on Israeli ships from docking, including in this country.

"The ICJ decision is a moral, political and legal victory for the Palestinians. Malaysia is also working with like-minded countries to submit a motion, a resolution at the UN General Assembly to implement this latest advisory opinion,” he said.

Replying to a supplementary question on measures taken by Malaysia regarding the mandatory death bill for Palestinian prisoners that the Israeli Congress recently passed, he stressed that whatever unilateral action Israel takes continues to be the concern of the international community.

"That's why Malaysia, together with many other like-minded countries, will continue to exert international pressure… we, together with the Hague Group, will continue to put pressure on Israel so that it will comply with international law issued by the ICJ, then be reinstated in the UN and will be recognised. 

"Insya-Allah, tomorrow (Dec 12) there will be a vote on the advisory opinion recently decided by the ICJ. This is important, and we also ask the UN to implement any sanctions that can be imposed on Israel,” he said.

He said Malaysia also maintains its stance on supporting South Africa's case against Israel at the ICJ regarding violations of the 1948 Genocide Convention, as well as actions at the International Criminal Court (ICC) to curb the culture of impunity that protects the Zionist regime.

Replying to Senator Datuk Dr Mohd Hatta Md Ramli's question on aid to Palestine, Mohamad said Malaysia has begun coordinating with several countries, including Japan, for a plan to rebuild Gaza, with part of the RM100 million allocation announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to be used for that purpose.

However, he said that rehabilitation efforts can only begin once a full ceasefire is implemented, and highlighted the unstable entry points for aid delivery by humanitarian non-governmental organisations (NGOs).

-- BERNAMA