PUTRAJAYA — Malaysia has strongly rejected any plan that could lead to the forced displacement of Palestinians, calling it a violation of international law and multiple United Nations (UN) resolutions.
The Foreign Ministry(Wisma Putra) said any unilateral attempt – direct or indirect – to undermine Palestinian self-determination was unacceptable and would only prolong the conflict.
“Malaysia continues to stand in solidarity with the people of Palestine. The only viable path to lasting peace and stability in the Middle East is through the establishment of an independent and sovereign State of Palestine, based on pre-1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital,” Wisma Putra said in a statement, reported by Bernama.
Putrajaya called on the international community to unite in pushing for a credible and permanent solution that is acceptable to Palestinians.
In this regard, Malaysia echoed the resolution of the Extraordinary Arab-Islamic Summit on Nov 11, 2024, urging all nations that have yet to support the two-state solution to recognise the State of Palestine and support its full membership in the UN.
Malaysia also reaffirmed its commitment to diplomatic and multilateral efforts, including initiatives by the Global Alliance and The Hague Group, in pursuing a lasting peace based on establishing an independent and sovereign Palestinian state, the statement added.
Wisma Putra was responding the the announcement by US President Donald Trump that Washington should “take over” Gaza and redevelop it, a proposal that has been widely condemned as violating international law and disregarding Palestinian rights.
After swift condemnation from Arab neighbours, the United Nations and other countries, White House officials appear to have softened Trump’s remarks.
US news agencies report that Secretary of State Marco Rubio saying that any relocation of Gazans would be “temporary”.
Rubio also said the offer to redevelop Gaza was not meant to be hostile, and was instead “a generous offer”.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt was also reported saying that the American taxpayers would not be funding the reconstruction, nor did Trump’s announcement mean a commitment to send in more troops.
Trump’s shock announcement Tuesday after meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has drawn surprise even from fellow Republicans, with senators from the party expressing bewilderment and saying they have never been briefed on such an idea.
CNN reported, however, that the idea for redeveloping Gaza and leveraging its prime location on the Mediterranean seafront is not new, and had been raised in Trump’s inner circle, including by his son-in-law Jared Kushner previously. – February 6, 2025