Malaysia has condemned recent Israeli military operations in Gaza, describing them as reflecting “indifference and double standards” toward the Palestinian people. The statement was delivered by Malaysian Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan as he opened the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Kuala Lumpur on Sunday, ahead of the bloc’s 46th summit.
In his address, Hasan asserted that the situation in Gaza is “a direct result of the erosion of the sanctity of international law.” He reiterated Malaysia’s position, stating, “The atrocities committed against the Palestinian people continue to reflect indifference and double standards. ASEAN cannot remain silent.” As the current rotating chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, Malaysia’s remarks carry particular weight within the regional forum.
The minister’s comments coincide with intensified Israeli campaign in the Gaza Strip. According to Palestinian authorities, nearly 54,000 people, the majority women and children, have been killed since the conflict began in October 2023 following Hamas’s attack on Israel.
Malaysia, a Muslim-majority nation, has no formal diplomatic relations with Israel. Since the onset of the war, the Malaysian government has channeled humanitarian aid and donations exceeding $10 million to Palestinians in Gaza.
The ASEAN meeting provides a platform for regional foreign ministers to discuss a coordinated stance on the Gaza conflict. While ASEAN as a bloc has historically expressed support for Palestinian statehood and called for ceasefires, consensus on strongly worded condemnations has sometimes been elusive due to varied national interests among its ten members.
Hasan’s strong language signals Malaysia’s intent to leverage its ASEAN chairmanship to amplify criticism of Israel’s actions on the international stage. The final communiqué from the ministers’ meeting, which will inform the leaders’ summit on Monday, may reflect the regional body’s collective position on the ongoing crisis. The developments underscore the persistent geopolitical friction surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict within multilateral organizations.
