Malaysia condemns Israel's decision to approve 34 illegal settlements

Kuala Lumpur (ANTARA) - Malaysia has condemned Israel’s latest decision to approve the construction of 34 new illegal settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories (OPT) in the West Bank. Through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, or Wisma Putra, Malaysia stated that the ongoing expansion of illegal settlements is part of Israel’s systematic campaign to seize Palestinian land and forcibly alter the demographic composition of the Palestinian territories. “Such actions constitute a clear violation of international law and relevant UN Security Council resolutions, particularly the Fourth Geneva Convention and UN Security Council Resolution 2334 (2016), and represent a direct assault on the fundamental rights, dignity, and sovereignty of the Palestinian people,” read the statement from Wisma Putra in Kuala Lumpur on Saturday. Malaysia calls on the international community and the UN Security Council (UNSC) to take firm action and hold Israel accountable. Malaysia also reaffirms its steadfast commitment to its principled position in supporting the legitimate struggle of the Palestinian people for their inalienable rights. Malaysia also reiterates its call for the establishment of an independent and sovereign Palestinian state, based on the pre-1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.