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PRIME MINISTER Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has urged Malaysians to continue igniting the spirit of courage and to stand united with Gaza in the pursuit of justice and the realisation of a free and independent Palestine.
Anwar said Malaysia has taken a clear and public stand by supporting the Global Sumud Flotilla humanitarian mission to Gaza at a time when major world powers were accused of remaining silent or penalising those who oppose the oppression of the Zionist regime.
“When the flotilla was attacked by Israel on Oct 2 and humanitarian volunteers, including 23 Malaysians, were detained, we moved swiftly without delay. Every moment was used to formulate strategies, mobilise diplomatic channels and ensure that their safety became the nation’s absolute priority.
“Alhamdulillah, high-level negotiations with Turkiye, Egypt, Jordan and the United States bore fruit. All our humanitarian heroes were safely released and returned home on Oct 7, bringing joy to Malaysians who had followed the developments with great hope.
“Their courage in crossing oceans and their steadfast resolve to fight for the fate of our brothers and sisters in Palestine, despite being treated harshly in Israeli detention, reflect the strength of Malaysian solidarity,” he said in a Facebook post today.
The Global Sumud Flotilla involved volunteers from 45 countries and carried food, medical supplies and messages of peace, with international participation from Europe, Asia, South Africa, Latin America and West Asia.
A total of 23 Malaysians taking part in the mission were detained by Israeli forces after their vessels were intercepted in the Red Zone R3 area of the Mediterranean Sea before being taken to the port of Ashdod in Israel.
Among the Malaysians detained were singers Heliza Helmi and her sister Nur Hazwani Afiqah aboard the vessel Hio; Nurfarahin Romli, also known as Farah Lee, and Danish Nazran Murad on Grande Blu; singer Zizi Kirana on Huga; and social media personality Nurul Hidayah Mohd Amin, better known as Ardell Aryana, on Mikeno.
Others who joined the mission included Musa Nuwayri, Iylia Balqis and Sul Aidil on Alma; Haikal Abdullah, Muaz Zainal, Zulfadhli Khiruddin and Rusydi Ramli on Sirius; Razali Awang on Inana; PU Rahmat, Norhelmi Ab Ghani, Mohd Asmawi Mukhtar and Norazman Ishak on Estrella; Zainal Rashid and Ustaz Muhammad Abdullah on Fair Lady; as well as Muhammad Hareez Adzrami, Muhd Haikal Luqman Zulkefli and Taufiq Mohd Razif on Free Willy.
At a recent United Nations General Assembly session, more than 140 countries supported a resolution on a two-state solution, rejected violence and expressed clear backing for the future of Palestine.
Several Western countries that had previously refrained from taking formal action have since announced recognition or diplomatic steps in support of Palestine, including the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Portugal and France, alongside smaller European states such as Malta, Belgium, Andorra and Monaco. - December 22, 2025