KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysian Foreign Minister Zambri Abdul Qadir has called on the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to shoulder its responsibilities by bringing criminals to justice, especially the Israeli occupation, stressing that if no one comes to trial they will set a dangerous precedent that allows criminals everywhere to be freed.

In an interview with Al Jazeera Net, the Malaysian minister defended the position of the Secretary-General of the United Nations that the solution to the Palestinian issue stems from addressing the roots of the problem, and stopping the violations of the Israeli occupation in order to reach a lasting and comprehensive peace.

Malaysia reiterated its criticism of the international community for not taking serious action to lift the blockade on the Gaza Strip and for failing to reach a Security Council resolution stipulating a cessation of hostilities.

Zambari said that the greatest responsibility lies with the United States, which presents itself as a guardian of humanitarian values and human rights, adding that the priority must be to stop Israeli aggression, end the killing of civilians, and deliver humanitarian and medical aid to the Palestinian people.

The following is the text of the interview:


  • Malaysia's position has been clear from day one, which is to stand by the Palestinian people and reject Israeli aggression, and now after 3 weeks of continuous Israeli bombardment of the Gaza Strip. What are your priorities?

Malaysia's principled position has been consistent since our independence in 1957, which is the belief that the Palestinian people must be given the right to self-determination and the right to establish their own Government. The top priority is to end hostilities and stop the killing, and we are working with all countries around the world, especially Muslim countries, to stop the madness, and this is the priority of Malaysian policy, and I think we share it with many countries.

The second action is to deliver humanitarian aid, possibly through the establishment of a safe passage through the Rafah crossing, which is difficult because of Israel's refusal. I have learned that there is an urgent need of at least 200 trucks per day, and we are currently working with all parties to ensure that.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim had raised the issue with his Egyptian counterpart Mostafa Madbouly, and we found that he agreed with us, but unfortunately the Israeli regime still controls the amount of aid that can cross. These are our top priorities that we hope will ease the tension that currently exists in Gaza.

  • In Malaysia, you have a democratically elected government with a large majority of up to two-thirds. Do you think the government's actions regarding Gaza and Palestine are in line with the aspirations of the Malaysian people?

Certainly, my speech today in Parliament reflects the aspirations of all the Malaysian people, and as you see that the feelings of all categories of the Malaysian people, regardless of political, religious or ethnic affiliation, are all united on humanitarian grounds and the suffering of the people, and I am happy here to emphasize that all Malaysians are united, including non-Muslims, because some people may think that it is only an Islamic issue, everyone is united to face the crisis in Gaza.

Thousands of Malaysians demonstrate in solidarity with Gaza in the presence of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim (Reuters)

  • I spoke in Parliament about a desire to bring the issue of war crimes to light in international tribunals. What does it mean?

The International Court of Justice must shoulder its responsibilities to bring criminals to justice, especially the Israelis, because the Court is the highest judicial body in the world, and it operates under the umbrella of the United Nations, and therefore justice happens only when major crimes are considered, war criminals are summoned to justice, and we cannot let them do what they want without calculation, and if no one comes to try them, it will be a dangerous precedent that allows the free hand of criminals everywhere.

  • Is there a mechanism to prosecute Israel's leaders for war crimes?

Yes, we have this mechanism, and it must be activated within the frameworks of the International Court of Justice, and the member states of the Court must work within the mechanism followed, which stipulates that member states are the ones who can activate the mechanism and file the case, and Malaysia is not a member of the Court, but it is one of the sponsoring countries to file the case in coordination with member states.

  • There are more than 7000,<> civilians killed by the Israeli war machine, most of them women and children. Is the world waiting for more Palestinian blood to act and impose a ceasefire?

It is very unfortunate that the world continues to close its eyes and turn a blind eye to what is happening in Palestine, because after 3 weeks of war, people are still being killed every day, especially children.

Seeing civilians under the rubble is heartbreaking, and no one with the slightest human feelings can afford to watch these civilians executed and buried under the rubble of destroyed buildings, and this should attract the attention of every human being, and the call for a cessation of hostilities.


  • Are you in contact with the Americans to convince them not to support Israel, especially by military means?

Americans have to recall the values they have been preaching in the world at all times, and it is time to pay attention to the people who are suffering and killing, and not to close their eyes to the tragedy for the interests of a particular party, this is a humanitarian crisis and people are being killed, and they must look for a way to solve this problem.

  • What about the position of the Secretary-General of the United Nations, when he raised the roots of the issue and the oppression of the Palestinian people, does he not deserve support and support?

The Secretary-General of the United Nations represents everyone, and he looks at the issue from the standpoint of justice, so I don't think he is wrong when he calls for an end to the war and the killing. I do not think that his criticism is appropriate from any quarter, especially when he said, that it did not happen in a vacuum.

Malaysia stresses the need for a permanent solution in which Palestinians can live in peace, based on the pre-1967 map, as agreed.