EGYPT PREVENTS MALAYSIAN DELEGATION FROM ENTERING GAZA

Gaza, 29 Jumadil Awwal 1435/30 March 2014 (MINA) – The Government Committee to Break the Siege condemned the Egyptian authorities for barring Malaysian delegation from entering the Gaza Strip through the Rafah crossing.

The delegation consists of eight people. It was prevented from accessing Gaza after four attempts during its eight-day stay in Egypt.

It was then deported to Mecca yesterday via Cairo airport, according to ALRAY, Palestinian News Media report quoted by Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA).

The Malaysian delegation carried humanitarian aids to the people of Gaza. It was expected to come to Gaza in coordination of the Office of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation OIC, Gaza Office.

The committee demanded opening the Rafah crossing and facilitating entry of solidarity delegations to provide assistance to the needy families that suffered a lot from the impacts of the siege imposed by the Israeli occupation since 2006.

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It called on the OIC and all the international organization to interfere quickly and contact the Egyptian authorities to ease the movement of passengers and food through the Rafah crossing

The Relations between Malaysia and Palestine are strong brotherly relations. Malaysia has strongly stood up for the rights and freedoms of the Palestinians and has supported the struggles of the Palestinians. Malaysia also has refused to recognize the State of Israel until a peace agreement is reached. Approximately, there are around 3,000–5,000 Palestinian students in Malaysia, many Palestinians also choose Malaysia as a country for temporary refuge

Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak pledged solidarity with the Palestinians on his first trip to Gaza yesterday, and backed reconciliation efforts between Hamas and the rival Palestinian Fatah movement.

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Najib, who entered via the Rafah crossing from Egypt along with his Foreign Minister Anifah Aman and other officials, was met by Ismail Haniya, the Hamas prime minister.

Speaking in Rafah shortly after his arrival, Najib said his visit was intended “to show solidarity and our support for the struggle of the Palestinian people”.

“We may come from thousands of miles away … but we are one Umma [Muslim nation] and we believe in the struggle of the Palestinian people,” he said.

Najib also expressed support for renewed reconciliation efforts by Hamas and Fatah, including attempts to form a consensus government to pave the way for new elections.

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Haniya made a reference to Israeli legislative elections that were under way yesterday, warning that “the trend of the Israeli elections suggests a move from an extremist government to a more extreme government. This requires us as Palestinians, and Arabs, and Muslims, to build a unified strategy to confront rising Zionist extremism”.

After the press conference, Najib was to visit Gaza City’s Shifa hospital and the parliament building. His delegation was expected to deliver medical supplies.

Muslim-majority Malaysia, a staunch supporter of the Palestinians’ aspirations to statehood, does not have diplomatic ties with Israel. (T/P04/E01)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)