A SOLUTION to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is unlikely in the short term with the current fluid situation in the Middle East. Recent developments — Syria’s civil war, the social uprisings in Lebanon and Iraq, and the Arab Spring in Egypt, Tunisia and Libya — have contributed to a continuous cycle of violence and unrest in the region.
With the Israeli–Palestinian peace process seemingly “dead”, as reported by portals, and favouring the Israelis, the situation has never been bleaker. Hence, the move by Malaysia to open an embassy accredited to Palestine in Jordan is seen as strategic and timely.
Jordan, as the guardian of the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem, and which has played a prominent role in the peace process over the years, seems a logical choice as a location.
The move, announced by Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad last week, serves as a statement of intent to monitor Israel and its treatment of Palestinians up close.
Malaysia already has an embassy in Jordan. This latest plan, according to analysts, is a clear show of solidarity with the Palestinians. What better way to provide aid and contribute to the betterment of Palestinians in the spirit of Muslim unity?
Already it has seen support from several quarters, including Palestinian Cultural Organisation Malaysia chairman Muslim Imran, Palestine’s ambassador to Malaysia Walid Abu Ali, as well as Palestine’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Riad al-Malki.
The Fatah movement, as reported by this newspaper, applauded Malaysia’s decision, and described it as “brave”.
Malaysia’s plan is a new approach. The fact that it was announced during the 18th Summit of the Non-Aligned Movement reflected its duty and responsibility as a sovereign country to help the people of countries facing injustices for years.
It goes to show that Malaysia, which has been a major voice in championing the rights of the Palestinians, believes in the peace process and the liberation of Palestinians from Israel’s stranglehold.
But how will establishing an embassy affect Israel and the international community? Embassies are important as an indicator of good relations between two nations.
An embassy also provides consular services — help and advice to its overseas citizens. In the case of Palestine, having another embassy accredited to it would further extend Malaysia’s scope — to provide not just humanitarian aid, but also support Malaysians in the region, especially since Malaysia regularly sends humanitarian and medical teams to Palestine.
Last year, according to the Times of Israel, Malaysia was second on the list of visitors to Israel from countries without diplomatic relations with it. Some 14,000 Malaysians visited Jerusalem — now with a new embassy, it would serve Malaysians better.
The Israeli-Palestinian conflict has been festering since 1948 and thousands have perished since. Hundreds of Palestinians have had their lands “robbed” by the Israelis.
Earlier this year, when Israel reportedly demolished Palestinian houses and established new Jewish settlements in Jerusalem, some 140 Palestinian homes were destroyed and 238 Palestinians lost their homes.
This Leader hopes Malaysia’s move will spur other Muslim countries to continue to pressure Israel to recognise Palestinian rights and to believe that a two-state solution is still the best solution to end the world’s longest occupation of a territory.