Today, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) will receive an official visit from Israeli foreign minister Yair Lapid who will also officiate the Israeli embassy in Dubai. The visit is the first by an Israeli leader since the signing of the `Abraham Accord ‘peace agreement between the country and several Arab countries including the UAE, Bahrain and Oman.
BDS Malaysia unequivocally condemns the UAE’s actions in establishing close ties with the Zionist regime. BDS Malaysia also calls on the Malaysian people and government to jointly condemn the UAE’s action because it is not only unreasonable but also a very serious act of treachery to the Palestinians, to all Muslims, and even to the entire international community who uphold the principles of freedom, equality, and justice.
BDS Malaysia is also convinced that not all UAE citizens agree with the actions of their leaders. The UAE is a country that does not practice the principles of democracy and therefore the views of its people are not taken into account at all.
BDS Malaysia would like to warn UAE leaders that the Israeli Zionist regime has oppressed Palestinians since its inception by killing, demolishing their houses, destroying their hometowns, and confiscating their lands. The tyranny of the Zionist regime continues to this day as we are witnessing now happening in SheikhJarrah and also in Silwan in East Jerusalem.
In recent weeks, the world has also witnessed the brutal attitude of the Israeli Zionist regime which has killed more than 200 Palestinians in Gaza including 66 children. It should be noted that in the past 12 years, the Zionist regime murderously attacked Gaza three times, killing more than 4,400 Palestinians, including 1,100 children. Tens of thousands have also been injured.
The UAE’s action in choosing to make peace with a country led by Prime Minister Naftali Bennet is completely irrational since he has previously insisted that Israel should seize the entire West Bank. In fact, he had previously proudly stated that he had killed several Arabs. It is absurd for the UAE to make peace with a party led by a leader who is proud of killing innocents from among their own people.
The fact is that the human rights of the Palestinian people continue to be violated by Israel to this day. The Palestinians in the West Bank are still brutally colonized despite the fact that this is illegal under international law.
BDS Malaysia, therefore, calls on the Malaysian government not to be silent and passive in the face of the ongoing oppression against the Palestinian people. BDS Malaysia also calls on the people and government of Malaysia to condemn the decision of the UAE government and any Arab country that establishes diplomatic relations with Israel.
In fact, the world is increasingly becoming disgusted with Israel as news of its cruelty to the Palestinians is now more widely known. As evidence, in the wake of Israel’s brutal attack on Gaza last May, American support for Israel has plummeted, especially among supporters of the Democratic party.
At a time when the world is increasingly standing behind the oppressed Palestinians, it is a great shame when an Arab state chooses to be a close friend to an apartheid regime that continues to commit atrocities against their fellow Arabs.
BDS Malaysia, therefore, calls on the Malaysian government to put pressure on the UAE by boycotting the Dubai Expo which is planned for October this year. We believe this action is necessary to enlighten the eyes of the UAE leaders that their decision to forge ties with the oppressive apartheid Zionist regime of Israel is deeply hated by the people and government of Malaysia, and will not serve UAE’s interest in the long run.
BDS Malaysia
29 June 2021