MALAYSIA MUST BE CONSISTENT IN VOICING OUT DIRECTLY AGAINST US COMPLICITY IN ISRAEL’S GENOCIDE IN GAZA

Majlis Perundingan Pertubuhan Islam Malaysia (Malaysian Consultative Council of Islamic Organizations) – MAPIM
Space U8 , Eco Mall , Bukit Jelutong , Shah Alam , Selangor Malaysia
azmiabdulhamid58@gmail.com
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MAPIM POLICY BRIEF

MALAYSIA MUST BE CONSISTENT IN VOICING OUT DIRECTLY AGAINST US COMPLICITY IN ISRAEL’S GENOCIDE IN GAZA

Foreign Policy on the Palestine Issue Must Be Translated into Real Pressure Against Israel and Its Backer

Date: 2 October 2025

Executive Summary

Malaysia has long been a vocal supporter of the Palestinian struggle. However, in the face of the ongoing genocide in Gaza and the United States’ open complicity with Israel’s crimes, Malaysia’s foreign policy statements must now move beyond rhetoric. Consistency in voicing direct opposition to US complicity must be backed by concrete measures that exert real pressure on Israel and its international backers.

Context and Problem Statement

Israel’s blockade and bombardment of Gaza have been widely recognized as acts of genocide and crimes against humanity.

The United States continues to provide military, political, and diplomatic cover to Israel, ensuring impunity for war crimes.

While Malaysia has condemned these acts in multilateral fora, foreign policy has yet to be translated into tangible leverage that compels accountability.

Policy Analysis

1. Current Gaps

Statements at the UN and OIC, while consistent, have not deterred Israel or the US.

Malaysia’s strong rhetoric is undermined if economic, diplomatic, and security ties with US-linked institutions continue unaffected.

Public expectations for Malaysia to lead on the Palestine issue remain high, yet practical policies are limited.

2. Opportunities for Leverage

Multilateral Forums: Malaysia can utilize ASEAN, NAM, and the UN General Assembly to directly name and shame US complicity.

Economic Pressure: Malaysia can initiate divestment from corporations tied to Israel’s occupation and lobby ASEAN for similar action.

Diplomatic Pressure: Malaysia can condition aspects of its bilateral relations with the US on accountability for Gaza.

Civil Society Alliances: Malaysia’s credibility is strengthened when it aligns official policy with grassroots and global solidarity movements.

Policy Recommendations

1. Name and Confront US Complicity Directly

Malaysia must explicitly hold the US accountable for enabling genocide in all diplomatic statements, not only Israel.

2. Translate Rhetoric into Action

Impose restrictions and review cooperation with US entities complicit in arming Israel.

Promote parliamentary motions to legislate boycotts of companies supplying Israel.

3. Regional Leadership

Mobilize ASEAN to issue a joint condemnation of the blockade and challenge US silence.

Position Malaysia as the leading voice for Palestine within Asia-Pacific regional blocs.

4. International Legal Mechanisms

Support and fund cases against Israel and US complicity at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and International Criminal Court (ICC).

5. Civil Society Empowerment

Work with NGOs, trade unions, and student movements to internationalize the pressure campaign on Israel and the US.

Conclusion

Malaysia’s credibility as a principled nation on the Palestine issue depends on consistency between words and action. To remain silent on US complicity is to weaken the moral authority of Malaysia’s foreign policy. The time has come for Malaysia to escalate from statements of condemnation to policies of pressure.

MAPIM (Malaysian Consultative Council of Islamic Organizations)
Policy Unit

Mohd Azmi Abdul Hamid
President MAPIM