Anwar Ibrahim, the prime minister of Malaysia, has personally asked Anthony Albanese, the Australian prime minister, to restore funding to UNRWA. Ibrahim believes that the aid agency is the best way to assist the suffering civilians in Gaza.
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On Thursday, during his speech at the Australian National University in Canberra, Anwar emphasized the importance of not selectively applying international law among nations.
Anwar stated that the ongoing tragedy in the Gaza Strip has revealed the selfishness behind the highly praised rules-based system.
The varying reactions of the western countries towards human suffering do not make logical sense.
Anwar raised concerns about the stark contrast between the forceful and resolute condemnation of the Russian invasion of Ukraine by Western countries, and their complete silence regarding the ongoing tragic violence inflicted upon innocent civilians in Gaza.
During the 2024 Gareth Evans Oration, he stated that while there may be outliers, they are rare occurrences. The speech is named after Gareth Evans, who served as foreign minister for a significant amount of time.
According to Anwar, certain nations have criticized South Africa’s actions at the International Court of Justice where they accuse Israel of violating the genocide convention. Israel has consistently denied the accusations of genocide.
“What could align better with a rational understanding of an order based on rules than referencing those principles to a panel comprised of 17 judges?”
Anwar mentioned that it would be unwise to assume that these discrepancies would be overlooked.
When questioned afterwards if he was referring to Australia in his criticism of western reactions, Anwar stated that he acknowledged Australia, New Zealand, and Canada for deviating from their initial position and advocating for a ceasefire and aid.
In December, the three nations voted in favor of an immediate ceasefire for humanitarian reasons and the release of hostages. In February, they released a joint statement cautioning Israel against launching a potentially devastating ground attack in Rafah, located in the southern region of Gaza.
The stated goal of Israel is to “eliminate” Hamas and retrieve over 100 hostages who are being held in Gaza following the militant group’s attack on southern Israel on October 7th.
Anwar noted that the conflict has a deeper past, as Palestinians have endured hardship since the Nakba, also known as the “catastrophe.” This event marked the displacement of hundreds of thousands of people who were forced to leave their homeland following the establishment of the state of Israel.
“Please, let us put an end to the senseless violence against innocent children, women, and civilians. I am glad to see Australia consistently advocating for this cause.”
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During a meeting in Melbourne on Monday, Anwar relayed his request for Albanese to provide funding for UNRWA at the same time as ongoing investigations into accusations from Israel. These allegations claim that 12 of the organization’s staff members were involved in the attack on October 7th.
The speaker stated that Albanese was extremely attentive and polite, which are qualities typically found in good politicians. He also mentioned that Albanese provided him with the opportunity to make a strong argument regarding the Gaza issue.
In light of rumors that Canada may restore support for UNRWA, Albanese stated to the media on Wednesday that Australia will evaluate the possibility of granting an additional $6 million in funding. This funding was previously put on hold in late January.
Penny Wong, the Australian Foreign Minister who was originally from Malaysia, enthusiastically greeted Anwar during his appearance at the ANU on Thursday.
The Prime Minister was introduced today by a proud Sabahan-Australian with great honors.
According to Wong, it is crucial that we continue to speak out in support of an urgent ceasefire and humanitarian aid, the freeing of hostages, and the safeguarding of innocent civilians.
Wong expressed the need for a lasting peace between an autonomous Palestinian state and the State of Israel. However, unlike Australia, Malaysia does not have diplomatic ties with Israel.
Additionally, Wong addressed the potential ripple effects of the conflict on social unity, expressing disappointment in individuals in Australia who purport to support human rights and fairness, yet exhibit actions that demonstrate little consideration for either.
According to Wong, there have been efforts to intimidate and discredit individuals, as well as blatant expressions of prejudice against Jewish and Muslim communities. Despite these actions, Australia must continue to promote diversity and acceptance.
Source: theguardian.com
