Malaysia condemned Israel’s military campaign in Gaza during the opening of the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Kuala Lumpur on Sunday, describing the violence as reflecting “indifference and double standards” in the treatment of the Palestinian people.
Malaysian Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan, speaking as his country holds the ASEAN rotating chairmanship, stated that the situation in Gaza is “a direct result of the erosion of the sanctity of international law.” He emphasized that the regional bloc “cannot remain silent” in the face of ongoing atrocities. His comments preceded the 46th ASEAN Summit, scheduled to begin in the Malaysian capital on Monday.
The minister’s remarks align with Malaysia’s long-standing position, as a Muslim-majority nation with no diplomatic relations with Israel. Since October 2023, Kuala Lumpur has provided over $10 million in humanitarian aid and donations to Palestinians in Gaza.
According to figures cited in the minister’s address, nearly 54,000 people, predominantly women and children, have been killed in Gaza since Israel launched its military response following the Hamas attacks on October 7, 2023. The high casualty rate among civilians has drawn repeated international criticism and allegations of disproportionate force.
ASEAN, a bloc of ten Southeast Asian nations, has historically expressed solidarity with the Palestinian cause but operates by consensus, often limiting its responses to cautious statements. Malaysia’s chairmanship provides an opportunity to shape the regional agenda, though any collective ASEAN action requires agreement from all member states, including those with different strategic alignments.
The foreign ministers’ meeting is expected to finalize documents for the leaders’ summit, where the Gaza conflict is anticipated to be a key discussion point. Hasan’s strong language signals an intention to keep the issue high on ASEAN’s agenda, potentially pushing for a more assertive regional declaration.
The condemnation underscores the geopolitical weight of the Israel-Palestine conflict beyond the Middle East, engaging the attention of influential regional blocs like ASEAN. The outcome of the summit could indicate whether Southeast Asia will seek a more unified diplomatic stance on the war in Gaza, amid growing global scrutiny of international law and humanitarian principles in the conflict.
