KUALA LAMPUR, Saturday, September 26, 2020 (WAFA) –Malaysian Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin said yesterday that in order to achieve lasting peace in the Middle East, Israel must cease all of its illegal settlement activities and withdraw from the Occupied Palestinian Territory and surrounding Arab countries.
Addressing the General Debate of the 75th Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York virtually, Muhyiddin said, “First, it [Israel] must cease all of its illegal settlement activities. Second, it must withdraw its troops from the Occupied Palestinian Territory and surrounding Arab states. Third, it must allow Palestinian refugees their right to return to their land and property.”
“Fourth, it must restore the original status of Jerusalem and last but certainly not least, it must restore its credibility and revert to the negotiating table with Palestine,” he added.
Muhyiddin pointed out that Israel continues to threaten Palestinian statehood with further annexation of Palestinian land, further denying Palestine any form of human security or peace.
He said Malaysia's position remained clear and consistent that annexation was unlawful and violates the Charter of the UN, Geneva Conventions and relevant resolutions of the General Assembly as well as the Security Council.
The Malaysian Prime Minister said his country supports the call of the international community including by the UN secretary-general, for the Middle East Quartet to find a mutually agreeable path for the parties to reengage towards a negotiated peaceful settlement.
“We continue to call upon the international community to uphold Palestine's legitimate right to self-determination, which constitutes one of the very core principles of the UN when it was created 75 years ago,” he said.
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