Humanitarian aid efforts should be channelled through more secure, officially recognised international platforms to ensure safety of activists, says MCCF chief
KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Community Care Foundation (MCCF) has cautioned Malaysian activists about the risks involved in taking part in the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) missions.
Its founder and chairman Datuk Seri Halim Ishak told theSun that the spirit of solidarity with Palestine should not be translated into actions that could expose Malaysians to the risks of armed conflict, detention or cross-border security threats without appropriate diplomatic protection.
“MCCF respects the spirit of struggle and the concern of the Malaysian people toward the suffering of the Palestinian people.
“However, MCCF believes that any humanitarian aid mission should be channelled through a more secure, organised and officially recognised international platform to ensure the safety of activists and the effectiveness of aid delivery.”
Halim pointed out that the privately operated vessels under GSF missions are indeed not equipped with firearms.
“In fact, participants involved in GSF missions are also not allowed to be former policemen or military personnel.
“In reality, participation in such a mission represents an ‘extremely courageous act’. Everyone is aware of how cruel and aggressive the actions of the Israeli military have been, to the extent that they continue to ignore warnings and condemnations from bodies such as the United Nations (UN) and the World Health Organisation.
“Various diplomatic and international pressures have been exerted, yet until today no truly effective and firm action has been successfully imposed against Israel.”
Halim said all Malaysian NGOs, volunteers and activists who wish to provide assistance to Gaza should consider using safer and recognised international platforms.
“This could be done through humanitarian agencies under the UN, such as the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the International Committee of the Red Cross as well as a coalition of international humanitarian NGOs that have diplomatic protection and official access to conflict areas.
Meanwhile, Sumud Nusantara Command Centre (SNCC) director-general Datuk Sani Araby Abdul Alim Araby told Bernama that the 29 Malaysians detained by Israeli forces have been released, with the group expected to return home tomorrow. The 29 are among 428 activists aboard the GSF 2.0 that were detained in international waters.
“All 428 flotilla activists are being transferred by bus to Ramon Airport and are expected to travel to Istanbul on three special Turkish government-sponsored flights.
“The SNCC has been informed by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had dispatched the aircraft to Ramon Airport located in Israeli territory.
Countries including Turkiye, Italy, Spain, France, Belgium, Ireland, Canada, the Netherlands, Germany, South Korea, Australia and Portugal as well as the OIC, UN and European Union, condemned the detention of the activists.
“The global response to the incident is not limited to condemnation but also includes international pressure in the form of potential economic and diplomatic sanctions, legal action, issuance of warrants and diplomatic notes against Israel.”
