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MALAYSIA will take part in the Public Hearing of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) advisory opinion proceedings concerning Palestine, set to begin in The Hague, Netherlands, on Monday, April 28.
The proceedings will address Israel’s obligations relating to the presence and activities of the United Nations, other international organisations, and third states in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, according to a statement from Malaysia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The Minister of Law and Institutional Reform in the Prime Minister’s Department, Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said, will lead the Malaysian delegation. She will be accompanied by senior officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Legal Affairs Division of the Prime Minister’s Department, the Attorney General’s Chambers, and the Embassy of Malaysia in The Hague.
Azalina is scheduled to deliver Malaysia’s National Statement at 11.00pm (Malaysian time) onApril 28, 2025, the statement said.
This marks Malaysia’s third participation in ICJ advisory opinion proceedings on Palestine, following its involvement in 2004 and 2024.
"The hearing aims to provide an advisory opinion on Israel’s legal responsibilities regarding its presence and actions in the territory, and the implications for the United Nations, international organisations and third states.
"In the National Statement, the Minister will advance legal arguments to establish Israel’s obligations and accountability for continuing to impede the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination," the ministry stated.
The Foreign Ministry reaffirmed Malaysia’s unwavering support for the Palestinian struggle to realise an independent and sovereign State of Palestine, based on pre-1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital.
The advisory opinion follows United Nations General Assembly Resolution 79/232, adopted on 19 December 2024.
Malaysia co-sponsored and voted in favour of the resolution, as a member of the Core Group of Like-Minded States that initiated it.
Malaysia will join 39 other countries and four international organisations during the oral proceedings.
On 28 February 2025, Malaysia submitted a Written Statement concerning Israel’s obligations towards the UN, other international organisations and third states in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, the statement noted.
"In light of the renewed and ongoing attacks on the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, Malaysia remains resolute in strengthening its legal arguments during the upcoming session."
The 28 April Public Hearing serves as a continuation of Malaysia’s earlier Written Statement and its participation in two previous ICJ advisory opinion proceedings in 2004 and 2024. - April 27, 2025