ENVOY: PALESTINE MAY SUE TRUMP
BH journalist SYED AZWAN SYED ALI recently caught up with Palestinian ambassador to Malaysia Datuk Dr Anwar Al-Agha and discussed the United States’ “mistake” in recognising Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, as well as Malaysia’s support for the Palestinian cause
Question: The move by US President Donald Trump to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel has drawn criticism from around the world. As a Palestinian envoy, what is your view on this?
Answer: Firstly, Trump’s action is a colossal crime to Palestinian struggles, Palestinians and a major mistake by the US administration.
Trump has no right to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel as (Jerusalem) is neither American land nor under its jurisdiction.
Jerusalem is Palestinian land based on the United Nations’ Resolution 181 in 1947, which stipulated the solution for the two states. Palestine with (its capital) East Jerusalem and Israel with (capital) West Jerusalem. Countries worldwide accepted and supported Resolution 181.
Clearly, Trump’s action goes against the wishes of the world community for the solution for the two states. We are relieved that the world has rejected the move by the US president. This can be viewed as an interference in Palestinian struggles. Trump should be a mediator and not give us an order on what we should do. This can be considered as the end of the US role as a mediator in the peace process (in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict). This is a sabotage of the peace process in West Asia and the world community will not accept his move. East Jerusalem is the capital of Palestine, based on the resolution of the two states. Palestinians are united on this and we always discuss with friendly countries the next course of action. We will possibly file a suit against Trump and the US administration.
We can describe this as the “Second Balfour Agreement” due to the mistake committed by the British before (the original Balfour agreement). Palestinians hope the world community will continue to pressure the US to withdraw Trump’s announcement.
Q: Certain quarters said the Jerusalem issue will be the point of unity for Muslim countries and Palestinians, following the announcement by Trump.
A: We in Palestine have the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) and the Palestinian leadership is headed by President Mahmoud Abbas. It is an umbrella to factions and other groups under PLO.
We need to ensure that there is only one PLO, one leadership, one president, one flag and one nation.
We hope other factions in Palestine are aware of the importance of unity, especially now that Jerusalem is attacked by the US administration, which is leaning more towards Israel in the context of a peace agreement.
Q: Does the US have the credibility as a mediator, with the latest action by Trump?
A: If they continue to recognise Jerusalem as the Israeli capital, the US has, therefore, lost the credibility in the peace process and we will not accept it.
We hope the US Congress will pressure Trump to retract his stand and recognise East Jerusalem as Palestine’s capital, as enshrined in the resolution of the two states.
Q: What is your comment on the recent resolution adopted by the Extraordinary Summit of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC)?
A: Palestine and PLO hope that OIC plays its role in supporting Palestinian struggles and ensure that Resolution 181 becomes a reality by establishing East Jerusalem as Palestine’s capital. We rely on and discuss with OIC about this. We see the firm resolution at the OIC summit in Istanbul, Turkey, which had stated that East Jerusalem is the capital of Palestine.
OIC member countries will not accept any resolution that contradicts this fact and they reject the announcement by Trump. They see Trump’s decision as in conflict with the resolution of the two states.
The Palestinian president and (Turkish) President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said OIC will continue to push the US administration to withdraw the stand of the White House and call on all countries to unite in opposing Trump’s mistake. Q: How do you see the role of Malaysia through Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s leadership?
A: I met Najib after the (summit) and he stated Malaysia’s position, which rejects the stand by the US. This shows that Trump had made a big mistake.
The sentiment of Malaysia can be seen at the recent Umno General Assembly, which I attended. It is a firm statement of the Malaysian government through the prime minister’s speech. We value Najib’s and Malaysia’s support, and we have always wanted to emulate 1Malaysia’s spirit by championing 1Palestine.
Q: What is the next course of action after the strong stand by OIC?
A: The Palestinian leadership is discussing with other countries that support the Palestinian cause. We are looking at the possibility of filing a suit against Trump and the US administration for the mistake, as well as over the violence committed by Israel, in the International Criminal Court. We see economic elements in this issue. We urge all parties to stop using American products. We are identifying the mechanism on this and support from countries that back Palestine.
Q: What is your hope from Malaysians and their government in liberating Al-Quds?
A: Malaysia has been a strong supporter of the Palestinian cause. Malaysia knows the rights of Palestine and will accept only a two-state resolution, which means they will accept that East Jerusalem is Palestine’s capital.
I think Malaysia will continue to support the Palestinian cause and its people, including pressuring the world community to take action against the US.
I believe Malaysia, under Najib’s leadership, will continue to ensure that the dream for East Jerusalem to be the capital of Palestine is achieved one day.