Malaysian premier Mahathir Mohamed on Wednesday met with a high-level delegation from Hamas led by former political chief Khaled Mishaal.
Mahathir met the Hamas delegates in the administrative capital of Putrajaya and discussed with them important issues related to the Palestinian cause.
In a news conference held following the meeting Mishaal expressed his sincere thanks to the Malaysian premier and his country for their ongoing support for the Palestinian rights describing Mahathir as one of the most prominent leaders of the Muslim nation.
The Hamas official also expressed hope to see a major Malaysian role in lifting the Israeli blockade on Gaza pointing out that the Gaza population is exposed to daily attacks and ongoing blockade.
He warned that Israel’s practices in Occupied Jerusalem are aimed at changing the identity of the holy city and called on the Islamic world to necessarily focus on ending the Israeli occupation and support the Palestinian people’s struggle for their rights.
For his part premier Mahathir said that Malaysia would not stop condemning Israel’s aggressive practices against the Palestinian people reiterating his country’s commitment to supporting the Palestinian people and their national cause.
He affirmed that “the Malaysian people are aware of the suffering and difficulties the Palestinian people are facing” and “will not be silent as long as the Israeli occupation persists in its violations.”
The premier strongly denounced the world’s major power “for their hypocrisy when dealing with the Palestinian cause for their continuing support for Israel and for ignoring the crimes it commits against humanity.”
