BDS Malaysia alerts the government to 71 containers of Israel-bound cargo at Port of Tanjung Pelepas (PTP)
The civil society group commends steps previously taken by the Malaysian government while urging further action to avoid complicity in Israel’s ongoing genocide against Palestinians
On 7 August, Malaysian authorities blocked cargo destined for Elbit Systems, Israel’s largest arms manufacturer. Now, thanks to documentation provided by the No Harbour for Genocide initiative, BDS Malaysia has alerted the Malaysian government that at least 71 containers destined for Israel are heading for PTP with a great majority of that number already docked at the port
BDS Malaysia warns of the recurrence of shipments, which strongly suggests a routine and organized supply chain of goods to Israel. This undermines Malaysia’s policy of solidarity with the Palestinian people and violates third parties’ obligations to take all necessary measures to prevent genocide under international law.
Prof Nazari Ismail of BDS Malaysia stated:
“The discovery of 71 containers destined for genocidal Israel at Tanjung Pelepas reveals an organized supply chain that directly undermines Malaysia’s deep-rooted solidarity with the Palestinian people and exposes the nation to potential complicity in genocide.”
The recent success of Malaysian authorities in blocking cargo bound for Israel’s Elbit Systems shows that enforcement is possible when there is political will. BDS Malaysia urges the government to move beyond ad hoc interceptions by implementing comprehensive measures, which include a ban on all Israel-bound vessels and cargo.”
We commend the steps already taken by the Malaysian government to prevent Israel-destined ships and cargoes from using Malaysian port facilities and the Prime Minister’s vow that Malaysia “will never become a route for trade that could support or contribute to the atrocities of the Israeli regime against the Palestinian people.”
In order to comprehensively prevent any possibility that Malaysia will be exposed to charges of complicity in genocide, we strongly request that the authorities adopt the following measures.
In addition to these measures, we urge Malaysia to take leadership in the Hague Group, formed by states from across the globe, to take “coordinated legal and diplomatic measures” against Israel’s violations of international law, in particular through controlling maritime transfers, in order to ensure that action is taken internationally to impede illegal maritime transfers that supply Israel’s genocide, apartheid, and illegal occupation.