KUALA LUMPUR – The US Embassy here has closed its front entrance to all pedestrian traffic from 12pm onwards today ahead of the 2pm Palestine solidarity gathering.
The embassy also advises US citizens to avoid the front entrance for the duration of the demonstration, as well as to avoid crowds and be aware of their surroundings.
It added that there is no indication yet if the demonstration will become violent, but “reminds US citizens that the nature of protests can change quickly and with little warning”.
“This demonstration does not have a fixed end time, so US citizens should monitor local media for updates. Please remember that it is illegal for foreigners to participate in demonstrations in Malaysia.”
It is expected that demonstrators will start marching from the Tabung Haji building in Jalan Tun Razak around 2pm here to a location near the US Embassy front gate.
PAS, which is expecting some 5,000 attendees at the Palestine solidarity gathering, said the event would take place at the national mosque after Friday prayers, while mosques nationwide have also been urged to organise their own solidarity gatherings.
“After the gathering, we will head to Parliament to attend the Budget 2024 announcement on the same day. Additionally, we have designated approximately 150 members of our youth wing as the secretariat for the gathering to assist the authorities on Friday,” said PAS central committee member Muhammad Khalil Abdul Hadi.
Khalil added that the gathering is being organised alongside several non-governmental organisations, including the Al-Quds Malaysia Foundation, PAS’ Humanitarian Affairs and Relief Centre, and My Aqsa Defender.
The recent surge in violence followed a surprise attack by Hamas last Saturday, involving dozens of fighters infiltrating an Israeli city near the coastal enclave amid intense rocket fire.
The objective of Hamas’ Operation Al-Aqsa Flood is to end Israeli “violations”.
In response, the Israeli army initiated Operation Swords of Iron against Hamas in the Gaza Strip, leading Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to declare that “we are at war”. – October 13, 2023