Malaysia condemns forced resettlement of Palestinians as "ethnic cleansing"

Malaysia has strongly opposed any forced displacement of Palestinians from Gaza, warning that such actions would amount to ethnic cleansing and a breach of international law.

The country's Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement on February 6 following remarks by former US President Donald Trump, who suggested that Washington could take control of Gaza under a major redevelopment initiative, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

"The forced removal of Palestinians would constitute ethnic cleansing and violate multiple United Nations resolutions," the ministry said. "Any attempt, whether direct or indirect, to impose unilateral solutions that disregard the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination is unacceptable, unjustifiable, and will only deepen one of the longest-running conflicts in the region."

Malaysia reaffirmed its commitment to Palestinian statehood, calling for an independent and sovereign Palestine based on pre-1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital. It urged the international community to unite behind a credible and lasting solution that is acceptable to Palestinians.

Speaking in parliament, Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan described the proposed resettlement as "deeply regrettable", reiterating Malaysia's long-standing support for Palestinian rights.

"The Palestinian people themselves have stated that they will not leave their homeland," he said. "Malaysia’s support for Palestine is not temporary; we have always stood by their struggle for an independent state."

Malaysia, a majority-Muslim nation, has no diplomatic ties with Israel and has consistently backed the Palestinian cause. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has been an outspoken critic of Israel’s actions in Gaza, supporting South Africa’s genocide case against the country at the International Court of Justice and calling for its expulsion from the United Nations.

Anwar has also rejected Western pressure to sever ties with Hamas, the group that governs Gaza.

Trump’s proposal to take control of Gaza has been widely condemned by Palestinian organizations, including Hamas, the Palestinian Authority, and the Palestine Liberation Organization. The international community has also reacted with strong criticism.

On February 5, members of Trump’s administration, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, appeared to soften their stance, saying that any resettlement of Palestinians would be temporary while reconstruction efforts in Gaza took place.

By Aghakazim Guliyev