BDS Malaysia, the Malaysian chapter of the global Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) Movement, has denounced and condemned statements by Malaysians who opposed efforts by the Madani government to fly-in injured Palestinians to Malaysia for medical treatment.
“(This is) a shameless display of unmitigated bigotry under the guise of ‘charity begins at home’ and the protection of public interest,” the movement lambasted in a Facebook post.
“These people did not offer any evidence that public interest is threatened or diminished by extending humanitarian and medical aid to a group of fewer than 150 Palestinians, many of whom are children.”
The boycott movement further clarified that the Palestinians are not refugees but “are evacuated here on medical and humanitarian grounds”.
“The Palestinians are a very proud people who wish to live in peace nowhere else but in the land they love and rightfully own, Palestine,” asserted BDS Malaysia. “There is a Palestinian diaspora worldwide but they will return to a free Palestine as soon as it is established. “
Added the movement: “Mass emigration by Palestinians to other countries is highly discouraged, if not prohibited, by the Palestinians themselves. Mass emigration means playing into the hands of the Zionists who wish to ethnically displace them.”
For context, the BDS Malaysia statement was issued just before Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin announced that there will be no second mission to bring more Palestinians to Malaysia other than the 127, including 41 injured as a result of Israeli attacks at the Gaza Strip, who arrived in Kuala Lumpur last Friday (Aug 16).
At the same event, Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said his ministry would help to provide medical aid and subsequently repatriate all the Palestinians to their home country.
“I have discussed with Palestinian leaders and they don’t wish to leave their homeland. They are willing to die in their country. They want to return to their own land and do not want to be pushed out,” the UMNO deputy president indirectly allayed concerns of Palestinians being granted citizenship or resorting to obtain the refugee status like the Rohingyas.
Commending the Madani government for its humanitarian action, BDS Malaysia said the former “need not to be apologetic about it to anyone”.
“The Malaysian public should also note that what the government is doing is also being done on humanitarian grounds by the US, Norway, Spain, Germany, Saudi Arabia, UAE (United Arab Emirates), Egypt, Qatar, Jordan and Turkey,” justified the movement.
“Anyone with a modicum of understanding of what is going on in Palestine and who has a desire to see a peaceful resolution would know that it is not a question of taking sides. It is a question of respecting and abiding by international law.” – Aug 22, 2204
