Kuala lumpur: Thousands poured into the heart of Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday to attend a Palestine solidarity rally as Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said Kuala Lumpur fully supports any initiative that aids the liberation of Palestine.
According to Anadolu Agency, the crowd, comprising students, civil servants, activists, and retirees, gathered at the Axiata Arena in Bukit Jalil, carrying banners and placards with slogans such as "From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free." Many participants waved tricolored Palestinian flags and wore traditional keffiyeh scarves and Palestine-themed headbands, showcasing their support for the people of Gaza.
The rally, part of a series of similar gatherings, aimed to demonstrate Malaysians' unity and support for the Palestinian struggle, particularly for the 23 Malaysians involved in the Global Sumud Flotilla humanitarian mission to break the Israeli blockade of Gaza. These activists returned home via Istanbul late Tuesday after being released from illegal Israeli detention over the weekend.
Israeli forces had ambushed the Sumud flotilla last week, detaining hundreds of pro-Palestinian activists attempting to break the 18-year-long siege of Gaza. Addressing the rally, Anwar stated Kuala Lumpur's full support for initiatives aiding the liberation of Palestine and efforts to break the blockade at the Rafah crossing, as reported by local English daily The Star.
Anwar announced plans to meet with NGO leaders next week to discuss strategies for delivering humanitarian aid to Gaza via land routes in Egypt. He expressed hope for a more effective path through consultation with NGO leaders and potential discussions with Egypt's President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi.
Anwar also noted that Trkiye has assured continued assistance in securing the release of another nine Malaysian activists detained by the Israeli regime during an attack on the Freedom Flotilla.
At least 67,183 Palestinians have been killed in Israel's conflict in the Gaza Strip since October 2023. Last November, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.