Malaysia is lighting up some of its skyscrapers in green, red, white, and black in a show of solidarity with the Palestinians, hundreds of which have been killed by the Israeli defense force since tensions escalated last week over possible expulsions in East Jerusalem.
Since Sunday, the Kuala Lumpur Tower, the Kuantan Tower 188, and the Alor Setar Tower were illuminated in colors of the Palestinian flag, followed by Terengganu Drawbridge yesterday evening. They will continue to be illuminated till the end of this week.
“Hopefully, the lights will help continue nurturing the spirit in all of us to consistently support the struggle of the Palestinian people,” Khalizan Mahmud, a representative from TI Properties Sdn Bhd that owns Terengganu Drawbridge told the press yesterday.
“The Kuala Lumpur Tower is lit up in the colours of Palestine’s flag (green, red, white, and black) as a sign of solidarity and support for our Muslim brothers and sisters there. Let us pray for their safety and welfare,” an online statement from the management of the 421-meter KL Tower to its 29,000 followers said. The tourist attraction has been closed amid the third nationwide lockdown in the country due to COVID-19.
On Sunday, Malaysia joined Indonesia and Brunei in issuing a press statement condemning the violence between the more powerful Israeli forces and Hamas militants following Israel’s attack on the Al-Aqsa Mosque that injured hundreds of Palestinians worshipping during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan as tensions rose over the possible expulsion of Palestinians living in East Jerusalem.
“We condemn in the strongest term the repeated blatant violations and aggressions, carried out by the Israelis, targeting civilians throughout the Occupied Palestinian Territory, particularly in East Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip, which has killed, injured and caused suffering to many, including women and children,” the statement said. “We are also gravely concerned with the illegal expansion of settlements; and the demolitions and seizures of Palestinian‑owned structures across the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem.”
The press statement was signed by Malaysia’s Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin, Indonesia’s President Joko Widodo, and Brunei’s Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah. It also urged the United Nations take action to ensure the safety of those trapped in the Occupied Palestinian territory.
“We also urge the United Nations Security Council to act urgently and take all possible measures to guarantee the safety and protection of the Palestinian civilians throughout the Occupied Palestinian Territory, bearing in mind the international community, and the United Nations Security Council, in particular, has a special responsibility to call for a cessation of all violence and fulfil its obligation of upholding international peace.”
Malaysia does not have diplomatic relations with Israel although both countries have been doing business together.
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