Two Malaysian organisations of diverging background today condemned the Israeli offensive against Palestine and the siege on Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat's headquarters in the West Bank town of Ramallah.

In a statement today, Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall (SCAH) said the incursion has affected the order of world civilisation and brought the Middle East conflict to a dangerous level.

They were backed by the Muslim Scholars Association of Malaysia (PUM) in another press statement which described the Israelis as terrorists.

"Israel should not use the Palestine suicide bombers as a reason to occupy Ramallah. It is clear Israel action is military and it should be stopped immediately," SCAH president Ngan Ching Wen said.

He said the organisation backs Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad's call for the immediate intervention of the United Nations and world community to resolve the issue.

"SCAH believes this conflict can only be resolved through political solution and foreign relations. Violence against violence will only prolong the conflict and threaten world peace," he said.

Heaviest offensive

Israel launched the offensive, heaviest to date, against Palestine last Friday following a series of suicide bombings that left scores dead in recent weeks. The fighting has since escalated between the Israeli forces and Palestinians.

Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon disallowed European Union envoys on a ceasefire mission to meet Arafat who is holed up in his headquarters in Ramallah.

The Israeli premier, who said that its forces will continue to uproot 'terror' from Palestine, was reported to rule out any peace talks before "terror, hostilities and incitement" had fully ceased.

The offensive against Palestine has enraged Muslims and caused deep concern around the world. Israel's closest ally, the United States, has also called for an end to the incursions.

Call for action

PUM, in a press statement, described the Israelis as terrorists.

"PUM urged the United Nations to take action against the violence committed by Israel on the principles of the UN Charter," said PUM chairperson Abdul Ghani Samsudin.

The association also criticised the double standards practised by the United States that ignored the atrocities committed by Israel.

Abdul Ghani said the Organisation of Islamic Countries should take stern action to protect the dignity of Muslims who have long been degraded by the Zionists and urged Muslims to boycott products from Israel and the US.