RESTORE RIGHTS AND DIGNITY OF PALESTINIANS, SAYS ABDULLAH

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 28 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi
has called on the international community to work together towards the
restoration of the rights and dignity of the Palestinian people.

"We should demonstrate particular concern about the impact that the
occupation has on the youths and children because they represent the future of
Palestine," he said in a statement here Thursday.

In conveying the message on the commemoration of the International Day of
Solidarity with the Palestinian People on Nov 29, Abdullah said crushing their
hopes and dreams and violating their human rights and dignity would have serious
repercussions on the prospect of realising durable peace in the Middle
East.

"The most recent attacks on Gaza by Israeli forces and the closing of all
entry points into Gaza are a cause for great concern. The Israelis also refused
to allow humanitarian assistance to be delivered into Gaza.

"I wish to pay tribute to all Palestinians in their just struggle to live
free and in dignity in a state they can call their own.

"The Palestinian people can count on Malaysia's strong support in their
efforts to create an independent and sovereign State of Palestine with East
Jerusalem as its capital and in their quest to achieve a just solution to the
problem of Palestinian refugees," he said.

The prime minister also called on the United Nations Security Council, the
United Nations General Assembly and the influential powers to demonstrate their
political will and pressure Israel to release its stranglehold on Gaza and to
return to the negotiating table.

"The United Nations must send a clear and unequivocal message that the
violations of international law by Israel and its action against the Palestinian
people cannot be tolerated.

"There must be an urgent, peaceful solution to the situation regarding
Palestine. The international community should not deny the Palestinians the
support they need and the peace they deserve," Abdullah said.

The Annapolis Conference held in November last year brought a glimmer
of hope for an end of sufferings of the Palestinian people, but the situation in
the occupied territories has continued to worsen.
-- BERNAMA