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PARLIAMENT | An Israeli delegation that attended the week-long ninth Urban World Forum in Kuala Lumpur last month was the only one which was neither formally received by Wisma Putra officers nor given any police protection.
Deputy Foreign Minister Reezal Merican Naina Merican (BN-Kepala Batas) told the Dewan Rakyat this morning that the move was a sign of Malaysia’s stand against Israel’s occupation of Palestine and oppression of its people.
“When he arrived (in Kuala Lumpur), he’s the only delegate who was not received by any officers from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. PDRM (The Royal Malaysian Police) also did not provide him with any security.
“He’s the only one,” said Reezal in response to a supplementary question from Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail (PKR-Permatang Pauh) on whether Malaysia had registered its objections against Israel’s participation in the conference hosted by the United Nations(UN)through its Human Settlements Program, also known as UN-Habitat.
While Reezal did not mention any names, the senior-level Israeli delegation was reportedly headed by David Roet, formerly Israel’s deputy ambassador to the UN.
“We left him to (be welcomed by) the UN (officers) because we (Malaysia) did not welcome him.
“But because he was (in Malaysia) by invitation of the UN, his entry was allowed,” said Reezal.
Wan Azizah had earlier asked the foreign affairs minister to state whether the government intended to establish diplomatic relations with Israel, following its “acceptance” of the Israeli delegation for the conference held at KLCC from Feb 7 to Feb 13.
Reezal, in response, reiterated that participation of the Israeli delegation was in accordance with the Host Country Agreement signed between UN-Habitat as the organiser and Malaysia.
Article Three of the agreement states that participation in the forum shall be open, among others, to all the member states of the United Nations and any of its specialised agencies. -Mkini
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