Malaysia Imposes Ban on Israeli-Flagged Ships

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alaysia has implemented a ban on all Israeli-flagged vessels from docking at its ports, a move that Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim says is in response to the ongoing conflict in Gaza. The Malaysian leader asserts that Israel’s military actions constitute a violation of international law and demonstrate a disregard for humanitarian principles.

The ban specifically targets ZIM, Israel’s largest shipping company, and comes amid heightened concerns over the safety of maritime routes in the Red Sea, which have seen recent attacks on cargo ships. Malaysian authorities have confirmed that, effective immediately, ships destined for Israel will also be prohibited from loading cargo in the nation’s ports.

Malaysia, a predominantly Muslim country with no formal diplomatic ties to Israel, continues to champion a two-state solution. The new maritime restrictions reinforce Malaysia’s long-held position and its vocal condemnation of Israel’s military operations in Gaza, which began on October 7.

Following attacks in the Red Sea

The Prime Minister’s office reported that Malaysia has been a consistent donor of humanitarian aid to Gaza and has maintained a relationship with Hamas. The recent measures by Malaysia coincide with significant disruptions in global shipping, especially in the Red Sea, which is critical for East-West trade and connects to the Mediterranean via the Suez Canal.

The genocide in Gaza has led to a substantial number of casualties, with reports indicating that at least 19,667 Palestinians have lost their lives since the onset of the war in October, while the toll on the Israeli side stands at approximately 1,140 following Hamas’s initial attack.

Anwar Ibrahim’s administration has annulled previous permissions granted to Israeli-registered companies for anchorage and docking, dating back to decisions made in 2002 and 2005. This ban aligns with Malaysia’s continued advocacy for the Palestinian cause and its criticism of the Israeli offensive in Gaza.

BDS Malaysia

BDS Malaysia has intensified its campaign against Israeli-linked maritime activities by urging the Malaysian government to enforce a ban on ships owned by Israeli companies, particularly targeting ZIM, Israel’s leading shipping firm. The movement’s call for action was articulated in a public statement via Instagram, where it emphasized that permitting these vessels to dock contradicts Malaysia’s longstanding policy of prohibiting trade with Israel.

The movement’s representatives have pressed the transport ministry to issue directives to the Port Klang Authority to prevent the berthing of a ZIM-owned ship anticipated at Westports on December 26. BDS Malaysia contends that allowing the vessel to dock would undermine the Malaysian government’s commitment to opposing the ongoing violence in Gaza and the West Bank, which they attribute to Israeli policies.

BDS Malaysia’s advocacy is part of a broader push to halt what it views as complicity in the reported suffering of Palestinians through business or trade relations with Israeli entities. The group’s call to action serves as a litmus test for the Malaysian government’s stance on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and its humanitarian implications.

Sources: Aljazeera English, Anadolu Agency and BDS Malaysia