Malaysia has implemented a ban on all cargo ships carrying the Israeli flag from accessing its ports, as a response to Israeli’s role in the Gaza conflict. The decision is grounded in Israel breaching international law through their massacre and brutality against Palestinians.
On Wednesday, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim declared a maritime ban on vessels affiliated with Israel, including ZIM, Israel’s largest shipping company.
Ships on their way to Israel will also be barred from loading cargo at any port in Malaysia with immediate effect, Anwar said in a statement.
Malaysia has donated millions of dollars in aid to Gaza and PM Anwar has vocally supported the Palestinian cause throughout the years.
The ban has effectively revoked all previous cabinet decisions which granted permission for Zim’s vessels to dock in Malaysia.
Under a previous administration in 2002, ships owned by Zim were allowed to dock in Malaysia.
In 2005, the Cabinet at the time granted permission for those ships to land in Malaysia. However the current government has decided to revoke all previous cabinet decisions.
Palestinian death toll in Gaza nears 20,000 with nearly 2 million people displaced in the past three months.
