Opposition parliamentarians have backed the government's special motion condemning Israel's attack on a humanitarian mission to Gaza, but insisted that Malaysia should force the US to do more to stop the bloody dispute over Palestine.

pkr congress agm kota baru 300510 anwar speech Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim (left) (PKR-Permatang Pauh) led the debate in the Dewan Rakyat today by demanding the inclusion of a paragraph in the motion, to condemn the US for its "weak" response to the attack.

The Mavi Marmara was the lead vessel of six ships dubbed the 'Freedom Flotilla' that was attacked last week in international waters. Nine people were killed and over 60 sustained injuries.

"This motion is very important. We don't want the international community to be confused that this issue is only about Gaza.

"Malaysia must work together with Turkey to bring Israel to the International Criminal Court (ICC)," he said.

"The international community still refuses to accept the decision made by Palestinians in a free and fair election. The people have chosen Hamas to form their government but Israel and US still refuse to accept them...

"There is no point in criticising Israel and debating on the issue (without moving to) recognise the Hamas government. Only (when we do so) can we consider Malaysia to be free and brave in its foreign policy."

Premier Najib Abdul Razak had this morning tabled the motion , lambasting the UN Security Council's "mild" response to the attack.

However, Anwar argued: "The UN Security Council's statement was very weak because of America. Israel would not have attacked the Freedom Flotilla or mounted a blockade on Gaza without America's support.

"Israel is a small country but it would not be a tyrant without US support. Therefore we must be clear and firm in our statement."

hadi awang interview 040208 sullen Abdul Hadi Awang (right) (PAS-Marang) accused the Zionist regime of wanting to extend its geographical borders in establishing a "greater" Israel.

The PAS president hinted at Israel's connections in, and strong influence on, American politics.

"Whoever wants to win the (US) presidency must have Israel's support. The Zionists control the media and create a perception that they are being violated but they are the ones practising tyranny... they want the world to accept that might is right," said the Marang MP.

"We must not let our political, religious and ideological background divide us, but we must (unite to) condemn Israel and urge the lifting of the illegal blockade of Gaza."

‘Najib must deliver demand'

Lim Guan Eng (DAP-Bagan) equated Israel to Nazi Germany.

"Many children and women have been killed but nothing has been done... we call on the US to bring Israel to justice," said the DAP secretary-general.

"We want them to repent their mistakes. If we want to punish Israel, we need America. US foreign policy on Israel is based on the Holocaust and fear of anti-Semitism. However, Israel is no different from Nazi Germany which killed thousands of Jews.

barrack obama 201008 01 "It would be more effective (for the premier) to go straight to Washington (DC). There is no point in taking Israel to the ICC if America does not support this. We want the prime minister to not only be brave in Parliament, but also be brave in front of President Barack Obama (left) .

"We don't want the Najib to just say sweet things to Obama but to relay the people's message. If he does this then he will have the full support of Pakatan Rakyat and the people. We will also recognise Najib as a national hero."

Zulkifli Noordin (Independent-Kulim Bandar Baru) suggested that the Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC) should form a peacekeeping force to ensure the safety of the Palestinians.

"I don't see why the OIC should not step up and take a more proactive role," he added.

Dr D Jeyakumar (PSM-Sungai Siput) said Malaysia should not wait for the UN or the ICC to act, but to take matters into its own hands.

"The government must recall our ambassador to the US. This will make it clear to them that we mean business," he added.

The Dewan Rakyat unanimously approved the motion tabled by Najib to condemn the attack by Israel on the Freedom Flotilla.